By Raphael Onyekachukwu, Enugu
As the agitation for Biafra state continues, Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) have meet apex Igbo socio –cultural organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo to form common ground that will see the two groups working together for promotion of the welfare of her people and dowse tension in the east.
The alliance would also help them discuss on national issues affecting their people as well as advice government on issues that could engender development in the country.
Rising from their meeting in Enugu Sunday, they also agreed that the war against corruption being waged by the federal government was bearing fruits, even as they commended President Muhammadu Buhari on the fight against insurgency in the north east.
National Publicity Secretary of the ACF, Muhammadu B. Ibrahim, who read the communiqué singed by the two groups, said the cooperation will further extend to other areas of interest for the two organizations.
The communiqué reads: “We have resolved to work together for the good of the country and welfare of the people of the two organizations. We extend our condolences to the federal government and families of the bereaved and equally sympathize with families of those who lost their lives in the various IDP camps.
“We support the federal government’s war on corruption and call on the federal government to sustain this effort and for all Nigerians also to cooperate with the federal government to reduce the tide of corruption in the country”.
Ibrahim stated that the two groups have agreed to meet regularly for purposes of discussing issues affecting their wellbeing, stressing that decisions reached at such for a would be transmitted to the federal government to aid good governance in the country.
“We will also continue to meet with our other brothers, the Afenifere, the South-South Peoples Assembly, the Ishekiri, the Uhorbo and many other socio-cultural groups to promote peaceful co -existence and unity of Nigeria”, he disclosed.
General of United Ohaneze
Throwing light on the new alliance, President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief Gary Igariwey, explained that it would enhance cooperation among the two ethnic groups as well as held reduce the problems being encountered by her people in various parts of the north and Southeast.
“We think that this kind of joint cooperation will solve some of the problems we keep having from time to time. It means that we don’t need to come to the north to address issues; it means that we will contact Arewa to tell them about the problems confronting our people there.
The major issue is that we are starting on a good note of cooperation that will ensure that we have other good results in the future. These meetings will be very regular”, he stated.
Chairman of the AFC and former Inspector General of Police, Alhaji Ibrahim Ahmadu Coomassie, expressed happiness that the groups had come together, assuring that the beginning of greater things to come in Nigeria was when various groups come together to discuss and tackle issues affecting them.
