IPOB invitation to middle-belt unsettles north; Arewa youth threaten sympathetic Benue, others

IPOB has found kindred spirits in some north-central states whose opposition and religious inclination align with the southeastern secessionist group.

The outlawed group has urged the states to join in the sit-at-home protest.

But the Arewa Youth Consultative Forum (AYCF) has kicked against the appeal.

In a statement by Yerima Shettima, the Arewa Youths National President, the norther youth group said the orthern region will not be a party to “a deliberate, politically-motivated plan to undermine or worsen the nation’s current security challenges”.

The AYCF said the north has come a long way in understanding the use of constitutional and democratic means of channelling legitimate grievances, and could not therefore, be a party to any undemocratic move.

“We hope they will continue with the sit-at-home for another ten years and we wish them the very best of luck,” he said about IPOB protest strategy that has crippled the region’s economy.

“We know the south-east is IPOB’s home but exporting their activities to the north will be faced with massive resistance from all lovers of peace in the north”.

It called on northern governors to take punitive measures against anyone sympathising with activities of IPOB.

“And for the avoidance of doubt, we will not fold our arms and watch the North get further destabilised by a violent strategy, whether in Kogi, Benue, Plateau, Niger or any state in Northern Nigeria because our hands are already full with challenges of insecurity and we are praying fervently day and night to find lasting peace,” Yerima said.

While most of the opiion leader in the north re against President Muhammadu Buhari nd his government, Benue Gov. Sam Ortom carries his beyond Buhari and the APC goernment.

Ortom has been big on the Fulanization ad Islamization theories which appeal to IPOB and other secessionist groups, too.