Chairman of the Northern State Governors’ Forum and Borno State Governor, Ibrahim Shettima, has stated that the region was not opposed to the restructuring of the nation.
He made this known while speaking at a meeting of the Governors and traditional rulers in Kaduna on Thursday.
The Borno state governor said any restructuring should be done within acceptable criteria.
”It is also my expectation that at the end of this meeting today (yesterday) and, God willing, tomorrow’s (today) meeting of the governors, the forum and our esteemed royal fathers will adopt a consensus position on restructuring of the country that will be reflective of the general overall interest of the people of Northern Nigeria and which will attract popular acceptance.
”It is of vital importance to arrive at such consensus position because it is crucial to dispel the erroneous impression created and disseminated by certain interests in this country that the North is opposed to restructuring,” he stated.
Shettima urged leaders of the South East to call to order the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and the Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB).
”The resort to shenanigans, hate speech, and sometimes, incitement to violence by organisations such as IPOB and MASSOB must be unconditionally condemned as they are inimical to national unity, stability, peaceful coexistence and national security.
”In this regards, I call on all constituted authorities and responsible leaders of thought in the South-East and other parts of Nigeria to rise to the occasion and call these purveyors of hate speech and inflammatory and provocative statements to order.
”These elements must be encouraged to pursue their agitations within processes enshrined in our constitution and with the full and willing participation of all parts of our nation,” he said.
