Coalition of Northern Groups (CNG) and Arewa Youth Consultative Forum (AYCF) have faulted the one-month sit-at-home order by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
This came as IPOB renewed its warning to shut down economic and social activities in the region at the weekend.
It said it would only back down on the threat if the Federal Government gave a firm assurance that its leader, Nnamdi Kanu, would be brought to court on October 21 for trial.
The latest warning by the group coincided with the rampage of gunmen in Nnewi, Anambra State, at the weekend.
Reacting to the threat in Abuja yesterday, CNG Spokesman, Abdul-Azeez Suleiman, said: “We have seen a new statement by IPOB directing or commanding all Igbos living anywhere in Nigeria, which includes the North to participate in a one-month sit-at-home.
“The Igbo in the North are not threatened. So, on our part, we are warning any trader that complies with the IPOB directives in the North, we shall make sure that his or her shop is closed down.
“The Igbo in the North are going about their normal businesses without threats. If they comply with that order, it means that they are with the people that are challenging us.
“If they are complying with IPOB directives in the South, that is their problem. But, it will not be allowed in the North.”
Also, AYCF yesterday rejected the call by IPOB on Middle Belt people to join its sit-at-home campaign, warning that no section of the North should be a party to “a deliberate, politically-motivated plan to undermine or worsen the nation’s current security challenges”.
In a media statement by the group’s National President, Yerima Shettima, the AYCF said: “The North has come a long way in understanding the use of constitutional and democratic means of channelling legitimate grievances, and cannot, therefore, be a party to any undemocratic move.”
The AYCF said since the governors of the Southeast seemed to be satisfied with the activities of IPOB, “we hope they will continue with the sit-at-home for another 10 years and we wish them the very best of luck. We know the Southeast 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”. (The Nation)
