The October 1, 2017 notice to quit order given to the people of Igbo extraction living in the North has been cancelled by the Arewa Youth Consultative Forum.
The forum made the cancellation public in Abuja on Thursday at a press briefing.
The Northern youth issued the notice to quit order after a meeting where they issued the Kaduna declaration.
They said following the agitation of the Igbo for a Biafran state, they did not deserve to remain on their own part of the country.
However, the declaration had drawn condemnation from across the country with many saying it was unconstitutional and not in the interest of peaceful co-existence.
The press conference where the cancellation of the notice to quit was announced was attended by many Northern Youth Groups, including the Arewa Youths Council (AYC) that initially issued the quit notice on lgbo resident in the 19 Northern states.
Also in attendance were the Governor of Borno State and Chairman of Northern Governors’ Forum, Alhaji Kashim Shetima, ex- Governor of Kano State, Alhaji Kabiru Gaya, ex-Minister, Alhaji Sani Daura and Alhaji Shetima Yerima of Arewa Youths Council.
The spokesman of the group, Mr. Abdulaziz Suleiman, explained that the cancellation of their earlier order was in the interest of peace in Nigeria.
However, they urged the Federal Government to allow Igbo to hold a referendum to determine their future.
They also called for the immediate closure of open drug markets across the North, which they claimed the Igbo were using to sell fake and adulterated drugs.
The coalition called for the immediate revocation of landed property, where such fake drugs were sold.
“Mindful of the concerns generated by the clause in the Kaduna Declaration that advised the Biafran Igbo to relocate from northern Nigeria and for northerners in the Southeast to do likewise, and our commitment to the unity of our dear country, we immediately opened channels for dialogue and interaction with government agencies, national and international groups, institutions and figures.
Said the Northern youth: “Admittedly, we came under intense persuasive pressure from genuinely concerned national, political, traditional, religious and cultural leaders prominent among which were: a section of the Northern Governors’ Forum under its Chairman and Borno Governor Shettima, northern traditional rulers and the Directorate of State Security (DSS).
“We also had several fruitful interactions with various concerned individuals and groups. Most significant was our correspondence with the then Acting President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo and most recently our interface with the Presidency through the Special Assistant to the President on Political Matters.
“As a consequence of these vigorous engagements and as cultured people with a tradition of respect for our national values, leaders and elders, we are today pleased to announce the immediate suspension of the relocation clause, otherwise referred to as the quit notice from the Kaduna Declaration.
“This suspension we are proud to say, is also out of respect for and in reaffirmation of our allegiance to one, united, peaceful and prosperous Nigeria and in our unshaken confidence in the political will and sincere commitment of our dear President Muhammadu Buhari to take a holistic look at all the concerns we raised.’’
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