The Northern Elders Forum (NEF), has expressed dismay over Ohanaeze Ndigbo’s call for the arrest of NEF’s spokesman.
The Forum explained that Dr Hakeem Baba-Ahmed did not make inciting comments as claimed by Ohanaeze Ndigbo.
DAILY POST recalls that NEF’s Director of Publicity and Advocacy had in a circulated broadcast video asked Nigeria not to deny the Igbo’s secession.
“We said if secession is what every Igbo wants, and this is what the Igbos want, the nation should not fight a war over it”.
Alex Ogbonnia, Ohanaeze spokesman on Wednesday in a statement claimed NEF’s statement was extremely nauseating, uncouth, provocative, incendiary, inflammatory and above all very arrogant and licentious.
The convener of the Northern Elders Forum, Prof. Ango Abdullahi, in a statement, explained that Ogbonnia’s comments are dangerous and irresponsible, alleging that it is designed to put the life of Dr Baba-Ahmed in peril.
The Northern Elders Forum stated categorically that all comments and statements made by Dr Baba-Ahmed are authorized, and they represent its positions.
It explained that the press statement which Baba-Ahmed read on the 8th of June, 2021 at the Forum’s headquarters in Abuja in the presence of the full forum was the statement of the body which it still stands by.
The statement added, “We’re aware of attempts to create the impression that this statement is recent as well as other attempts to misrepresent its contents to create scapegoats for the failure to limit the damage of irredentism.”
Despite many efforts to inform the public appropriately, the statement said it appears that Ohaneze Ndigbo has fallen prey to more mischief, or is itself actively involved in incitement against a citizen.
The statement reaffirmed that the forum stands by its Director of Publicity and Advocacy, a Nigerian whose pedigree and service to the nation have few parallels.
It regretted the claim that Dr Baba-Ahmed is a security risk and the demand that he should be arrested as pathetic and beneath even the ordinary standards of Ohaneze Ndigbo.
The forum advised Ohaneze Ndigbo to focus its attention on contributing to securing the people of the South-East from multiple threats, and ensuring that Ndigbo has a befitting relevance in Nigeria.
The forum then affirmed its full confidence in Dr Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, who will continue to serve the country and the North as we search for a future that accommodates all interests in Nigeria.
