Tanbuwal warns Nigerians against provocative statements
“The hypocritical disposition of Igbo leaders to the success of Nigerian Nation, and I am talking about all categories of Igbo people; their political, traditional leaders and elites, have been exposed by the charismatic and undeniable accommodating nature of the Northern people. Just see the way they all rose to the challenge posed to the Igbo in Northern Nigeria by their youths, who were only reacting to the excesses of the Igbo youths supported their leaders. If they know they don’t want to leave the North, they should behave well at home and stop disturbing the peace of Nigeria,” the responded, speaking under strict condition of anonymity, said.
Governor of Sokoto State, Alhaji Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, has urged Nigerians to avoid inflammatory remarks that can bring disunity among the people.
He made the plea on Friday evening when he invited the members of the resident communities in the state to break fasting with him.
He spoke against the backdrop of the ultimatum given to the Igbo to leave the northern part of the country by some youths in Kaduna.
The governor said Nigerians must feel free to stay in any part of the country without fear of molestation.
In a statement issued on Saturday by the Special Adviser on Media and Public Affairs to the governor, Malam Imam Imam after the event, he assured the citizens of his readiness to provide adequate security for them.
“I align myself fully with the position of the Northern Governors as enunciated by our chairman, Gov. Kashim Shattima of Borno.
“We have enjoyed a robust relationship with all members of the resident communities; you have no reason to fear. Sokoto is your home and it will continue to remain as such,’’ Tambuwal said.
“Nigerians now need to team up as a people and find lasting solutions to the myriad of challenges confronting the nation.
“We are a blessed nation and we should continue to develop our strengths so as to provide the needed leadership for Africa and the black world.
“So, as far as your stay is in the northern part of the country and in Sokoto, do not feel threatened by anyone,’’ the governor assured Nigerians. During the event, the representative of the Igbo community in Sokoto, Mr Steven Okoro, commended the state government for making Nigerians living in Sokoto to feel at home.
“We have never felt threatened in Sokoto. We and our families have stayed here in peace for hundreds of years.
“Our relationship with all groups of people here is based on mutual trust and respect for one another,’’ he said.
Speaking in the same vein, both the leaders of the Yoruba community in Sokoto, Alhaji Abdulfatah Coker and the Chairman of the Association of Resident Communities, Alhaji Muhammad Ibrahim, pledged to continue to support constituted authorities to deliver on their mandates.
They lauded Tambuwal for what they described as his open door policy which had enabled all citizens to reach out to him directly.
Reacting to the Tambuwal statement Friday night was respondent who expressed satisfaction with the maturity and statesmanship of Northern leaders, who have distinguished themselves from the leaders of the same Igbo being asked to leave by the Arewa Youths that they are more sincere than they are.
“The hypocritical disposition of Igbo leaders to the success of Nigerian Nation, and I am talking about all categories of Igbo people; their political, traditional leaders and elites, have been exposed by the charismatic and undeniable accommodating nature of the Northern people. Just see the way they all rose to the challenge posed to the Igbo in Northern Nigeria by their youths, who were only reacting to the excesses of the Igbo youths supported their leaders. If they know they don’t want to leave the North, they should behave well at home and stop disturbing the peace of Nigeria,” the responded, speaking under strict condition of anonymity, said.
