PRESS RELEASE: PLATEAU STATE YOUTH COUNCIL; WE SAY NO TO THE KADUNA DECLARATION.
The Plateau State Youth Council is condemning the Kaduna Declaration made by members of some Northern groups at the Arewa House, Kaduna on June 6, 2017.
The declaration was issued collectively by the Arewa Citizen Action, Arewa Youth Consultative Forum, Arewa Youth Development Forum, Arewa Students Forum amongst others.
This news does not only promote disunity but goes against the very core and value of our great country Nigeria. The so-called ‘Kaduna Declaration’ may be a surprise to some but not entirely to others due to the recent backlash directed at the Acting President by some Northern leaders, accusing him of nepotism and sectionalism.
Nigeria i s now boiling with different regions crying out that they are being marginalized in the scheme of things. While some of the concerns might be genuine and honest, some are just a show to seek attention and stir up discord.
It is evident that the declaration is clearly a symptom of a deep rooted and unaddressed sickness in our society. It is very unfortunate and appalling that some of our youths are willing to become tools at the hands of desperate citizens who are bent on disrupting the peace and collective existence of our people.
Despite the persisting aspiration for the creation of Biafra by some Igbo people and the concerns shown by others, no government in Nigeria’s history has sought for a political solution to the problem of the previous civil war which left a bad taste in the mouths of many.
With that being stated, the so-called Coalition of Arewa Youths instead of proffering solutions is adding salt to injury by coming up with such declaration. This act suggests that they are instigating social unrest by promoting the exclusion and picking on of one group of people, which in this case are the Igbo people. These groups are making frantic efforts to widening the degree of hatred and distrust among fellow Nigerians which is a recipe for yet another civil war.
Their ultimatum of asking the Igbo people to leave the North is very childish, absurd and absolutely irrational. Giving a timeline to that evil and nefarious demand shows that there is a gap in the level of love and tolerance for all ethnicities in Nigeria and more importantly shows that it is obvious we have learnt nothing from history.
With whose authority did they have the boldness and effrontery to make such a demand to a people who are hardworking and very industrious, and have contributed immensely to building the economy of Nigeria? What informed these retrogressive actions? Who gave them the authority to speak on behalf of the north?
Inasmuch as their actions are laughable, callous and ill informed, it also portends the style of leadership some young people will adopt if given the opportunity to serve. It’s rather unfortunate that this display of crass ignorance is coming at a time when intelligent and patriotic young people are pressing for the #NotTooYoungToRun bill.
This action may cause our elders to doubt our credibility and potential to maintain the sanctity of the Nigerian state as one indivisible entity.
We dissociate ourselves totally from the reckless statements credited to the groups mentioned above. We formally state that we do not condone the Kaduna Declaration; we do not condone hate, tribalism, exclusion, violence, and discrimination of any sort. The action of these people is inimical and inexcusable. We are aware that this action has the potential to create unnecessary tension so we plead with our elders and the rest of Nigerians to pardon the ineptitude of the leaders of this so-called coalition and disregard their actions.
We pledge as a state and a nation that we shall watch over our fellow compatriots and protect their interest with everything including our lives, because we believe that an injury to one is an injury to all. We understand the groups have apologized to Nigerians and the relevant authorities, but they must show signs of serous repentance and must be seen to act in a manner that is lawful and responsible.
We are calling on the relevant security agencies to arrest and prosecute any person or group of people that threaten the peaceful existence of the Nigerian state. We believe that such person or group be considered terrorist and treated accordingly. A waste of time could be misinterpreted as tolerance.
The entire youths of Plateau State under the auspices of Plateau State Youth Council strongly dissociate from such a coalition that seeks to threaten or maltreat any person, tribe or religion.
We are firmly committed to actualizing the dreams of our founding fathers. We reassure all ethnic groups on the Plateau, more importantly the Ndigbo at this time, of their personal safety and that of their investments. Violence and looting is not in our culture.
We shall not at this time repeat the mistakes of 1966, when our brothers were used to carry out the civil war only to be dumped and maltreated thereafter. In view of this, we add our voice to those calling for the restructuring of the Nigerian state so as to make it more efficient and beneficial to all.
God bless Plateau State Youth Council God bless Plateau State God bless Nigeria Dr FABONG JEMCHANG YILDAM MBBS, FMCFM Chairman, Plateau Youth Council.

Lalasticala

Did i just read that you were dumped after the 1966 war?? Jokers was it not your brother Yakubu Gowon that officially launched the war.

The igbos want to leave they said we are holding them back,now we dont want to hold them back we are helping them to make their dream come to reality

God bless the pla2 youth assemby

Very good response coming from parts of the North so far.

By the time Benue, Taraba, Kwara, Kogi, Adamawa, Niger, Plateau, Kaduna and Nassarawa states pull out of this so called Arewa group, the Hausa will then realise they don't even have the kind of muzzle they think they have.
Otherwise, how can a youth leader of a forum unilaterally declare war on a group of people and he is still roaming the street a free man?

1966 is not the same thing with 2027, a lot have been changed.
the 19 northern state forum is now a mirage of 7 northwest, because north east are battling with bokoharam. The north central are battling with Fulani herdsmen. The north west can never be foolish to provoke ndi Igbo into war,with our Diasporn strength they will never stand the heat.

It's so funny how everyone seems to be heaping all the blame on the so called Northern Youths who made the declaration.
Can they exactly be blamed? After All the Igbos are the ones who said themselves that hey would like to go to their own land.

Since the FG wasn't saying anything, the yuuts of the North decided to offer a little help.

patrick89:
1966 is not the same thing with 2027, a lot have been changed.
the 19 northern state forum is now a mirage of 7 northwest, because north east are battling with bokoharam. The north central are battling with Fulani herdsmen. The north west can never be foolish to provoke ndi Igbo into war,with our Diasporn strength they will never stand the heat.

While the former eastern region is now 5 Igbo states and 4 states comprised of Southern minorities.
No region of Nigeria has remained intact since the 1960's... what is your point?

Igbos doesnt want Biafra but becos of the hate they have for PMB they want biafra

AdeizaPaul:
It's so funny how everyone seems to be heaping all the blame on the so called Northern Youths who made the declaration.
Can they exactly be blamed? After All the Igbos are the ones who said themselves that hey would like to go to their own land.

Since the FG wasn't saying anything, the yuuts of the North decided to offer a little help.

Yes!Igbos want Biafra because of the hate they have for PMB

Who cares threat or no threat. Biafrans are going ouuta of that dirty Northern stink. We don't want them again in the East

Heaves a sigh of relief. Thank God. They won't send us back to the land of the rising sun. My containers oh! My money oh!.

Christonjnr:
Who cares
threat or no threat.
Biafrans are going ouuta of that dirty Northern stink.
We don't want them again in the East

Shuo but you are free to start the journey. Who hold you? It is stinking yet you live and do business there. You see why everyone can't wait to see you off. You prosper in a place yet you insult those that give you that space to thrive. I saw the true nature of our IPOB screamers this week. You were ready to abandon your course because of money. You started pretending as if it was the other regions that were rejecting you. Asking them to initiate referendum, aren't you the one screaming give me Biafra or I die. Even if every Nigerian signs a referendum for you to actualise Biafra, you won't go. But let us be clear you are going. E ma lo ni. Buhahaha!