- The Northern Elders Forum (NEF) says the government decision to ban IPOB will stamp out an emerging terrorism in the southeast
- The forum says there is no disagreement and demands by individuals and groups in the country that dialogue cannot resolve
- The group supports the deployment of soldiers to areas where peace and security are being several threatened
The Federal government’s proscribing of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has received the support of the Northern Elders Forum (NEF).
READ ALSO: IPOB protests as court declares group a terrorist organisation
The forum in a statement on Thursday, September 21, in Abuja, said it backed the government's decision to ban the group was necessary to stamp out emerging terrorism in the southeast.
Leader of the forum, Wantaregh Paul Unongo, told journalist that there is no issues or disagreement in the country or anywhere in the world that dialogue could not resolve, Daily Trust reports.
He said: "The North recognises and acknowledges that there are demanding and legitimate questions on the current operations of the Nigerian state.
"The North has very clear ideas on all issues and positions that the nation sees as challenges and is willing to dialogue on all of them.
“What the North will not allow, however, is to be stampeded into adopting an agenda and grand designs from other parts of Nigeria which will hurt its basic interests.
"The North will demand a respectful and responsible approach to its participation in the search for answers to the many questions confronting our country.
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"We will also insist that the constitution and our national institution, such as the National Assembly be accorded due and appropriate recognition in all initiatives and efforts towards addressing our challenges.”
The forum also supported the deployment of soldiers to all areas where peace and security were threatened.
Meanwhile, Lai Mohammed, the minister of information, has disclosed that the financial headquarters of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) is located in France, Daily Trust reports.
The minister made his comments in a chat with State House correspondents in Aso Rock, Abuja, on Wednesday, September 20.
NAIJ.com gathers that the minister disclosed that the pro-Biafra group collects funds from people in the diaspora, as well as from foreign countries.
He also stated that the Nigerian government had encountered issues while trying to convince the government of the United Kingdom to shut down Radio Biafra, as they (the UK government) saw the issue as being about 'freedom of expression'.
The Operation Python Dance exercise by the Nigerian Military in the south eastern part of the country is not getting good reviews as the days pass by.
In the video below, NAIJ.com TV asked some Nigerians if want the military operation in the southeast to be canceled.
Source: Naij.com
ROSY CREST
Thursday, 21 September 2017