Igbo Quit Notice: Nobody Is Leaving The North - Ganduje

Governor Ganduje says the Igbos in Kano are not going anywhere - The Kano state governor says the Northern youth who issued quit notice to Igbos in the region have also been called to order by elders, civic, and political leaders -
He describes the reconciliatory meeting between the Igbo leadership and Coalition of Northern youths as timely Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje of Kano state on Saturday, August 5, declared that neither the Igbos nor any other ethnic nationality residing in Kano will leave the state as a result of the recent quit notice order by Arewa Youths. Ganduje made the declaration when he met with the Igbo Delegates Assembly (IDA) and Igbo Traditional rulers in the 19 northern states, led by IDA President-General Chief Chi Nwogu, at the Government House in Kano. According to him, all governors in Northern Nigeria are solidly against ethnic prejudice as he noted that Igbos in Kano will stay forever, The Nation reports.

He 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. “Even foreigners are residing comfortably in Kano and other parts of Northern Nigeria and are engaged in legitimate ventures, there is no basis to threaten other Nigerians, who collectively fought for the nation’s independence. “Those advocating ethnic agitation from the East are not speaking for all Igbos. Those of us, who as youth witnessed the Civil war, will never advocate secession.” The governor also said the Northern youth who issued quit notice to Igbos in the region have been called to order by elders, civic and political leaders, including governors and the Sultan of Sokoto, because all well-meaning people believe in one Nigeria.

He said: “When you have youths 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, adding 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 class of mistake,” he said. It was also learnt that Governor Ganduje met with members of the Coalition of Northern Youth Groups, where he expressed happiness that they have listened to the voices of elders and accepted peace. In his remarks, the President- General, Igbo Delegates Assembly, Chief Chi Nwogu, said there were in Kano to meet the Coalition of Northern Youth Groups in respect of the quit notice issued Igbos in the North by the youths. “Both of us have agreed to set up a committee to sort out things and ensure that there is peace,” Nwogu said.

Earlier reports in June has it that Governor Ganduje promised to protect the Igbos residing in Kano state from any hate violence. Ganduje made the declaration against the backdrop of the quit notice issued by the Arewa youths asking Igbos to vacate the North by October 1.