Alhaji Shettima Yerima, an activist and president of the Arewa Youth Consultative Forum (AYCF) in this interview, blows hot about the way the people of the South-eastern part of Nigeria have been treated by the government, and why he thinks the agitation for Biafra is justified even though it is not the best optionHow did this agitation come this far?

Well, it’s been a very long journey and for people like us, it is not surprising. The agitation for Biafra is not news to us because it has been there over time especially since 1966 with what gave birth to the overthrow of the Aguiyi Ironsi government after the killing of some top leaders. The agitation has been there and that was what led to civil war in 1967 when Odimegwu Ojukwu came on board against the state and the reconciliation in the 1970s. Ever since, there had always been one agitation of the other. But the truth of the matter is that nobody is happy about the situation and all of us felt that it would not augur and it is not even in the best interest of this country for any part to secede now. This is a critical and very challenging time. And it is high time we began looking at the issue critically.

We are only pretending that Nigeria is a nation, it has never been a nation. We just pray that it would become a nation. There are very fundamental issues that need to be addressed by any government in place and, to do that we must apply the principles of equity, justice and fairness to all. The moment we begin to say this group of people must be dealt with decisively because of their mindset or thinking that they are being marginalised, then there is a problemThe government must be seen to be doing justice and discussing issues the way they are. If we continue to pretend that things are normal and people are saying they are not normal and are agitating, one day it might not be funny. In as much as we pretend that things are well, you can see this call for Biafra is getting more popular internationally.

I pray and I pray the leaders begin to see reasons to look at the issues critically. If they feel they are being marginalised and you underestimate and threaten them by arresting them and incarcerating them, just know that the more you do that, the more they get international and local sympathy. At the end of the day, you would be marvelled at what that amounts to. It could metamorphose into something beyond your expectation. Detention and arrests are not the answers to the issue. Issues must be brought forward for discussion. We must disagree to agree so that we can form a nation. We are not yet a nation. Under international laws which Nigeria is signatory to, the right to see for nationhood is guaranteed.

Thus, if people decide that they don’t want to be part of your project, there is nothing you can do about it. Whatever you do is just to buy time. So why don’t you look at the issues the way they are and address them once and for all? This is what I think and it is absolutely my opinion.

Who is Yerima

This sudden show of empathy to the SE Igbos by the north is becoming really suspicious.

same goes to the federal government is not treating the gwari,nupe,zuru,koro and other's right is it only igbos that are in Nigeria

It has always been like that since independent....

Beesluv:
Who is Yerima

A blessing to Nigeria who seeks the best for Nigeria unlike a demonic curse like you

Talk of a wailer! !!

Talk

godjb:
Alhaji Shettima Yerima, an activist and president of the Arewa Youth Consultative Forum (AYCF) in this interview, blows hot about the way the people of the South-eastern part of Nigeria have been treated by the government, and why he thinks the agitation for Biafra is justified even though it is not the best optionHow did this agitation come this far?

Well, it’s been a very long journey and for people like us, it is not surprising. The agitation for Biafra is not news to us because it has been there over time especially since 1966 with what gave birth to the overthrow of the Aguiyi Ironsi government after the killing of some top leaders. The agitation has been there and that was what led to civil war in 1967 when Odimegwu Ojukwu came on board against the state and the reconciliation in the 1970s. Ever since, there had always been one agitation of the other. But the truth of the matter is that nobody is happy about the situation and all of us felt that it would not augur and it is not even in the best interest of this country for any part to secede now. This is a critical and very challenging time. And it is high time we began looking at the issue critically.

We are only pretending that Nigeria is a nation, it has never been a nation. We just pray that it would become a nation. There are very fundamental issues that need to be addressed by any government in place and, to do that we must apply the principles of equity, justice and fairness to all. The moment we begin to say this group of people must be dealt with decisively because of their mindset or thinking that they are being marginalised, then there is a problemThe government must be seen to be doing justice and discussing issues the way they are. If we continue to pretend that things are normal and people are saying they are not normal and are agitating, one day it might not be funny. In as much as we pretend that things are well, you can see this call for Biafra is getting more popular internationally.

I pray and I pray the leaders begin to see reasons to look at the issues critically. If they feel they are being marginalised and you underestimate and threaten them by arresting them and incarcerating them, just know that the more you do that, the more they get international and local sympathy. At the end of the day, you would be marvelled at what that amounts to. It could metamorphose into something beyond your expectation. Detention and arrests are not the answers to the issue. Issues must be brought forward for discussion. We must disagree to agree so that we can form a nation. We are not yet a nation. Under international laws which Nigeria is signatory to, the right to see for nationhood is guaranteed.

Thus, if people decide that they don’t want to be part of your project, there is nothing you can do about it. Whatever you do is just to buy time. So why don’t you look at the issues the way they are and address them once and for all? This is what I think and it is absolutely my opinion.

Tnk u for u write up mallam yarima d issue must b adress

We don't know him here in the north.

kingsolex:
same goes to the federal government is not treating the gwari,nupe,zuru,koro and other's right is it only igbos that are in Nigeria

don't mind the fool.

kingsolex:
same goes to the federal government is not treating the gwari,nupe,zuru,koro and other's right is it only igbos that are in Nigeria

Idiot your tribe is inconsequential...you are a minority, hausa/Fulani have taken over your land and you are their slave...Igbos are no mate with you.

Source?

federal govt is not treating the people of kogi, kabba, igara right too.
nonsense talk

Candyrain:
This sudden show of empathy to the SE Igbos by the north is becoming really suspicious.

Don't mind them. They know what they are doing. They know the international community is watching. The recent massive Biafran protest in Portharcourt shook them to their bone marrow because they know that if the Niger-Delta gets on board fully, the game is already up. They have to be seen as having empathy. But they are fooling no one. Nigeria must disintegrate

.this man should park well made,which tribe/region is not marginalised in the country?

kingsolex:
same goes to the federal government is not treating the gwari,nupe,zuru,koro and other's right is it only igbos that are in Nigeria

Why are these other peoples you mentioned silent?

kaycid77:


Idiot your tribe is inconsequential...you are a minority, hausa/Fulani have taken over your land and you are their slave...Igbos are no mate with you.

keep ranting Fulani like they did not kill ur igwe in Enugu or like there was no protest in anambra last week or better still like igalas ain't beheading u like rams over there ewu Gambia.

Ngwaukwu1:


Why are these other peoples you mentioned silent?

they are other tribes in Nigeria with no federal recognition in terms of political appointments.

Bcoz d igbos are greedy and jealous of him.

undiluted truth

The SEners are know in real life are hardworking and focus. The online ones are always looking for anything speech/aricles/write-up that sympathizes and moun with them as if there region is a funeral ground.

Candyrain:
This sudden show of empathy to the SE Igbos by the north is becoming really suspicious.

if u think the north care abt igbo, thnk again, the love just came up when pdp zoned to them, every hausa looking 4 soft landing to rape igbo again with the use and dump mantra

Good it is coming from a Northerner. Nairaland children will start to rant, Biafra is a matter of time. If there are things I know, one of them is persistence brings breakthrough.


If Buhari failed three times, the Biafra has hope.

amakaobiemeka:
if u think the north care abt igbo, thnk again, the love just came up when pdp zoned to them, every hausa looking 4 soft landing to rape igbo again with the use and dump mantra

Of course ain't foooled about this show. It's obvious there's a motive behind it

kingsolex:
same goes to the federal government is not treating the gwari,nupe,zuru,koro and other's right is it only igbos that are in Nigeria

In case you don't know, we have three major tribes in Nigeria, they are: Hausa, yoruba and Igbo. You have no ground comparing Igbo with minority tribes like gwari, nupe , Zuru and koro. If the government is not treating u fine, it's your duty as a pple to protest, you don't sit your arse down and expect the Govt to change.

Leave the Igbo who are fighting their own fight as a pple and focus on your own fight for relevance

hahhahahaahahahahahahhha MR NEMESIS IS SOON COMMING

wisdomguy4u:


In case you don't know, we have three major tribes in Nigeria, they are: Hausa, yoruba and Igbo. You have no ground comparing Igbo with minority tribes like gwari, nupe , Zuru and koro. If the government is not treating u fine, it's your duty as a pple to protest, you don't sit your arse down and expect the Govt to change.

Leave the Igbo who are fighting their own fight as a pple and focus on your own fight for relevance

major tribe but all in one nation everyone deserves equal treatment u igbos should stop crying fowl all over rather strive to get juicy appointment like we are doing if every tribe should thread ur victims path how do u think it well end??

If most Northern leaders reason like him....and the society has been treated a lot more balanced all these ethnic, religious , tribal etc would not hold sway. Its natural to choose to opt out of a marriage that has never worked from inception.

kingsolex:


major tribe but all in one nation everyone deserves equal treatment u igbos should stop crying fowl all over rather strive to get juicy appointment like we are doing if every tribe should thread ur victims path how do u think it well end??

Like I said b4, stop masturbating on top Igbo pple's matter. Igbos as a pple has the legal right to fight for their betterment in any way that suits them, they must not do things the way you do. You should focus more on your pple and leave the Igbos to be. We are all different pple with different language, culture and political views , learn to respect that and mind your business

wisdomguy4u:


Like I said b4, stop masturbating on top Igbo pple's matter. Igbos as a pple has the legal right to fight for their betterment in any way that suits them, they must not do things the way you do. You should focus more on your pple and leave the Igbos to be. We are all different pple with different language, culture and political views , learn to respect that and mind your business

the igbos must stop been greedy/selfish even in ur house u don't get to taste of every fruit that grows on a tree in ur compound, u guys makes the loudest noise and still intends to disintegrate the same Nigeria u want to benefit from, stop biting the hands that u want to feed u.

Candyrain:
This sudden show of empathy to the SE Igbos by the north is becoming really suspicious.

Its 2019,.... SE zoned it to d north
Uche gi diya