BY Our reporters

The umbrella association of all socio-cultural organisations in the North, the Arewa Consultative Forum, ACF, the Gombe and Plateau State governments, Oodua People’s Congress, Nigerian Inter-religious Council, NIREC and the pan Yoruba’s Afenifere, yesterday, condemned the demand by the Muslim’s Boko Haram sect that southern Nigerian Christians living in the North leave the area within three days, describing such demand as not only empty but uncalled for.

ACF saidBoko Haram could not speak for majority of Muslims, let alone for the whole North.

The Plateau and Gombe state governments also reacted to the three days ultimatum, assuring that they would protect the lives of everybody living in their states irrespective of the tribe or religious inclinations.

Boko Haram spokesman, Abdul Qaga, had told newsmen in a telephone interview Monday that Christian and other Southerners living in the North should leave the area, vowing to confront troops posted to curtail its activities in some volatile northern states.

It’s an empty threat – Afenifere

National leader of Afenifere, a pan Yoruba group, Pa Reuben Fasoranti, described as empty, the three-day ultimatum by Boko Haram as the events that would follow would be disastrous to everybody.

However, the National Coordinator of Oodua People’s Congress, OPC, Otunba Gani Adams asked southerners living in the north lo leave to avoid blood bath just as the Niger Delta Group said the threat was aimed at bringing down the government.

The Voice of Northern Christians Movement led by Pastor Musa Dikwa said the threat was empty.

This was as NIREC urged Nigerians to disregard any threat from any group asking them to leave their houses, promising adequate security for every Nigerian living anywhere in the country.

Jonathan is their target — N/Delta group

A pressure group, Niger Delta Nationalities Forum, in Lagos State, said the threat by the Islamic sect was aimed at bringing down the government of President Goodluck Jonathan.

In a telephone interview with Vanguard, chairman of the group, Mr Manager Seigha berated the group for making such a threat, noting: “The threat will not pay anyone.

“Our group is of the view that they (Boko Haram) will be affected most. We also think they are trying to execute the promise they made to the President because they promised to make the country ungovernable for the president because he won the 2011 presidential elections. The threat has become political which is aimed at over-throwing his government. We are not afraid of the division of Nigeria because it will help us to develop at our own pace. We are ready if they (Boko Haram) want to divide this country.”

Boko Haram can’t speak for North

However, in its reaction, ACF, through its National Publicity Secretary, Mr Anthony Sani said: ‘’T[b]here have been such threats from both the south and the north of recent. But our attitudes have been that they are are better ignored, precisely because just as those from the south cannot speak for the good people of the south, Boko Haram cannot claim to speak for majority of Muslims,let alone for the North. In any case, there are Muslims in both North and South.

“We still urge Boko Haram to use the available due process of addressing grievances in the country to address their concerns rather than harassing innocent people who are not even aware of what the sect stands for.
[/b]
’’Constructive engagement for the purpose of true reconciliation that go with genuine forgiveness is about the only path to peaceful coexistence needed for socio-economic and political development of Nigeria.”

Don’t be intimidated – Plateau govt

Also, the Plateau State government has called on the people of the state not to be intimidated by the threat of Boko Haram sect to vacate the Northern part of the country, re-affirming government’s commitment to securing the lives and property of every citizen.

Similarly, Senator representing Plateau South, Mr Victor Lar, has condemned the ultimatum, describing it as seditious.

The state Commissioner for Information and Communication, Mr. Yiljap Abraham, who made government’s position known to Vanguard, yesterday, said the country’s constitution guarantees the right of every Nigerian to move freely and reside in any part of the country.

“The Nigerian constitution gives liberty to all Nigerians to move freely without hinderance. Indeed, we call on the good people of Plateau to remain calm, be alert and refuse to be intimidated in any way, but to stay committed to all efforts in maintaining the peace toward a better Plateau,” he said.

L[b]ar in his reaction said the statement was inflammatory but should not be trivialized by government, stressing that a stop should be put to the impression that the more trouble you cause, the better attention you get from government.

According to him,“we have created an impression that the harder you shoot, the more attention you get. Before now government has not been able to differentiate between popular community demand and criminality. All were lumped together under the name ‘agitation’ and this has led us to where we are today.[/b]

’’Amnesty in the South-South part of this country has created an impression that the harder you shoot, the better response you get from the government.

“However, the government should not treat the ultimatum by the Boko Haram with kid gloves. Government can discuss with the group but not negotiation; they know them. But the ultimatum is highly seditious and it should be resisted.”

Gombe govt assures residents

Gombe State government in its reaction also assured residents living in the state especially, southerners of adequate protection of their lives and property even as the police in the state said “there is nothing that is getting out of hand as far as security is concerned.”

Speaking in a telephone interview with Vanguard, the State Commissioner for Information, Rev. Habu Dawaki, said: “I assure you, Gombe State is a peaceful state and we have always lived in peace with everybody and we have not had any challenges and we will not have any challenge. We have all live in peace with each other. So, be rest assured that Gombe is the ultimate destination for peace”.

Similarly, the State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Ebikeme Orubebe said although he was not aware of the said ultimatum, the police in the state were abreast of the security challenges in the country.

ARP tasks N-Assembly

African Renaissance Party, ARP, yesterday, urged the National Assembly to reconvene as a matter of national urgency, to help tackle the Boko Haram threats.

Mr Udoka Udeogaranya, Lagos State chairman of ARP in a statement, said there was need for the lawmakers to enact a law that would punish perpetrators and ensure that everyone joins hands to end the menace.

The party said: “It is our opinion that the ultimatum by the sect, amid a rising tide of violence, gives a profound recognition that punitive measures are needed.

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2012/01/quit-threat-to-christians-acf-afenifere-opc-n-delta-group-nirec-others-react/

hmmm

I am not surprised that ACN did not bother to react.
They have always been negatively vocal about boko haram, anyway. Bisi Akande even called it a "revolution."

Beaf:

I am not surprised that ACN did not bother to react.
They have always been negatively vocal about boko haram, anyway. Bisi Akande even called it a "revolution."

How can a sane human being like your self i hope relate A POLITICAL PARTY TO AN GEOETHNIC ORGANISATION

I mean ACN to ACF, AFENIFERE, OPC, NIGER-DELTA GROUP ETC

How do you think ?

alj_harem:

How can a sane human being like your self i hope relate A POLITICAL PARTY TO AN GEOETHNIC ORGANISATION

I mean ACN to ACF, AFENIFERE, OPC, NIGER-DELTA GROUP ETC

How do you think ?

You have always proven yourself to be a fool over and over. This is from the same article:

ARP tasks N-Assembly

African Renaissance Party, ARP, yesterday, urged the National Assembly to reconvene as a matter of national urgency, to help tackle the Boko Haram threats.

Mr Udoka Udeogaranya, Lagos State chairman of ARP in a statement, said there was need for the lawmakers to enact a law that would punish perpetrators and ensure that everyone joins hands to end the menace.

The party said: “It is our opinion that the ultimatum by the sect, amid a rising tide of violence, gives a profound recognition that punitive measures are needed.

Now, if you do not know why ACN has not responded or why Bisi Akande thinks that boko haram is a revolution, then it is best for you to shut up.

Beaf:

You have always proven yourself to be a fool over and over. This is from the same article:

LOL what an ideeiot. really you have no brain at all

please where is PDP

Where is APGA

PPA

CPC

ANPP etc why are you talking of ACN. do you have sense at all ?

alj_harem:

LOL what an ideeiot. really you have no brain at all

please where is PDP

Where is APGA

PPA

CPC

ANPP etc why are you talking of ACN. do you have sense at all ?

Have any of those parties id!otically claimed that boko haram is a revolution?

Cow.

Beaf:

Have any of those parties id!otically claimed that boko haram is a revolution?

Cow.

clown

what is a revolution ?

A forcible overthrow of a government or social order for a new system

So is it a grammatical blunder or what ?

Is that not why Arewa has been begging Jonathan to arrest the situation in the NE before such occur ?

Do you think we don't know what Boko haram is ?

alj_harem:

clown

what is a revolution ?

A forcible overthrow of a government or social order for a new system

So is it a grammatical blunder or what ?

Is that not why Arewa has been begging Jonathan to arrest the situation in the NE before such occur ?

Do you think we don't know what Boko haram is ?

You are a fool and a very despicable person.
Is boko haram overthrowing the system or blowing innocent women, children and babies to shreds? You think their blood is a revolution?

You are a fool and a very hateful thing. Why don't you go and officially join boko haram, afterall, they are your people?
Phucking cretin.

Beaf:

You are a fool and a very despicable person.
Is boko haram overthrowing the system or blowing innocent women, children and babies to shreds? You think their blood is a revolution?

You are a fool and a very hateful thing. Why don't you go and officially join boko haram, afterall, they are your people?
Phucking cretin.

LOL .  you are a very disturbed man. Well needless to say, y[b]ou were part of the people among others saying Boko haram was to undermine GEJ presidency.[/b]

Look, at that time I agreed with you and started a STRONG campaign against Boko haram apart from the fact that they are killing innocent people both Muslims and Christians.

It is a common perception of southerners that boko haram was created to undermine GEJ. Thus The ACN spokes man called it a revolution.

Yes even in the north, we don't like anything that would disturb GEJ because he is our president whether we like it or not. We as a people have to throw our support to him. Now you come here trying to make GEJ a SS.SE president is really doing a GREAT disservice to him and a great support to boko haram because that is what they want.

Listen and listen good, the only bigot as far as Nigeria is concern is You and your fellow goons always trying to tribalise issues thus you have heard people under chains because of the fear of been labelled as a tribalist but it would end one day. One way or the other. Insha Allah

God bless Nigeria.