Governor Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano State has assured that the Igbo will forever reside in the North, disclosing that all governors in the region were against the ethnic prejudice being promoted by the coalition of Arewa youths.
A statement issued on Saturday by the Director-General, Media and Communications, Tanko Yakassai, reports the governor as stating that since foreigners were living comfortably in Kano and other parts of northern Nigeria, there was no basis to threaten other Nigerians, who collectively fought for the country’s independence.
Asserting that “the Igbo in the region will stay forever”, Ganduje said, “Even if you want to go on your own, we will not allow you to leave. There is a difference between I will not go and there is no where I can go. You don’t have anywhere to go, this place is your home.”
The statement has it that the governor made this assertion while
receiving leaders of the Igbo Delegate Assembly, IDA, led by its president-general, Chi Nwogu, on Friday in Kano.
“Those advocating ethnic agitation from the east are not speaking for all Igbo. Those of us, who as youth witnessed the civil war, will never advocate secession,” he said.
Ganduje said the northern youth who issued a quit notice to the Igbo in the region had also been called to order by elders, civic and political leaders, including governors and the sultan of Sokoto.
He said, “When you have youth who have no elders, they are similar to riding a horse without a bridle. It can behave anyhow and anything can happening. This is what is happening.”
The governor described the reconciliatory meeting between the IDA leadership and coalition of northern youths as timely, asserting that all ethnic groups in the country have advantages which if collectively harnessed would make the country greater.
“What is happening in Sudan is a lesson for all of us. The breakup of that country has not taken them anywhere. We cannot afford to make that type of mistake,” he warned.
In his remarks, Nwogu said the group was in Kano to meet with the coalition of northern youth groups, in respect of the quit notice issued the Igbo in the region.
“Both of us have agreed to set up a committee to sort out things and ensure that there is peace.” he said.