The Governors of the nineteen northern States have greeted residents
across the north for being nonviolent in the face of clashes between
members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and Soldiers in Abia
State which endangered some northerners living in parts of the south.
The Governors called on residents across the nineteen northern States
to permanently sustain the peace saying no body law abiding Nigerian
deserves to be punished for the mere fact that he or she happens to be
living or doing law economic and social activities in any part of the
country.
The Governors spoke through Mr Kashim Shettima, Governor of Borno
State and Chairman of the Northern States Governors’ Forum in a
statement emailed to journalists by Shettima’s Adviser on Communications
and Strategy, Malam Isa Gusau on Friday.
The Governor’s acknowledged that they were aware of spill over
concerns in Jos, Plateau State but they were also aware of the rapid
step taken by their colleague, Governor Simon Bako Lalong of Plateau
State who immediately declared a dusk to dawn curfew that restored
peace.
The Governors however noted that despite the patriotism displayed by
residents, their administrations have since placed security forces on
alert to tackle any unforeseen attempt to cause breach of security.
The Governors called on all residents to, irrespective of tribe and
religion see themselves as equal Nigerians who have the same rights to
freely live in any part of Nigeria as provided by the Nigerian
Constitution which the Governors are under oath to preserve, protect and
defend.
The Governors also called on all Nigerians to support and promote
peace and coexistence, maintaining that the collective vision to have a
greater and prosperous Nigeria can only be actualised under an
atmosphere of peace and stability.
The northern Governors commiserated with Nigerians affected by the
violence. The Governors called on northerners operating in any part of
the country to remain law abiding and calm saying they share in their
concerns and will continually take lawful measures to support them under
any circumstance the northerners find themselves.