A group of pro-Arewa elders under the auspices of elder forum have selected themselves to open dialogue with the agitators of Biafra Republic. Information available to 247ureports.com indicates that the President of the federal republic of Nigeria, Malam Mohammadu Buhari has tasked elders from his circle of supporters to set up a machinery that would enable for channels of dialogue to be opened between the federal government and the Indigenous People of Biafra [IPOB].
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Loading ...This was made known by Dr Sadiq Umar Gombe who read a communique to reporters after the elders’ meeting on Wednesday. Ambassador Maitama Sule presided over the meeting held in Abuja.
Dr. Gombe stated that they have resolved to nominate persons from the various zones to speak to the angry youths. This he said while pointing accusatory fingers to the Peoples Democratic Party [PDP] and some leaders from the southern part of Nigeria for being behind the protesting youths. In his words, “Why are the South Eastern youths protesting now? Why not during Jonathan’s tenure, why now?”
He continued to add that “a committee will be set up to engage the Supreme council of elders of the indigenous people of the South-East and the protesting youths with a view to addressing their grievances and recommending solutions to the dialogue group. The dialogue will continue to be expanded to include other critical stakeholders for the search of peace and stability in the country”.
“The unity of Nigeria shall continue to remain sacrosanct despite the inherent imperfections in our nation state and as such the dialogue resolves to continually pursue the path of peace and stability. The protests and agitations being conducted under guided and peaceful atmosphere are part of democratic expressions“.
The recent move to attempt dialogue comes against a public outcry over the use of force by the Nigerian security agents against the peaceful protesters agitating for the freedom of their leader, Nnamdi Kanu – and the republic of Biafra. Condemnations from international and national circles had swelled to a near insurmountable pressure for the Buhari administration who appear unsure on how to approach the protesting youths and the call for the declaration of Biafra. The noble Laurent, Wole Soyinka had recently joined his voice in condemning the Buhari administration approach to handling the brewing fiasco.
In talking to the top membership of the IPOB concerning the proposed talks, they were quick to discard it – stating that their leader, Nnamdi Kanu, must be set free before any talk ‘may or may not’ begin. “We are no longer in the mood to talk, we don’t want anything less than Biafra”.
