CAN Condemns Arewa Youths’ Ultimatum to Igbos

By John Shiklam in Kaduna

The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in the 19 northern states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja on Wednesday condemned in strong terms what it described as “the latest display of lack of nationalism by some groups and individuals from some sections of the country”.

The religious body, in a statement issued in Kaduna at the end of its emergency meeting with chairmen and secretaries of state chapters as well as the youths and women wings of the association, noted that while groups and individuals were free to agitate for whatever rights for the growth and progress of their people, such agitations must not create tension and division among Nigerians.

The statement signed by the chairman of the association, Rev. Yakubu Pam, and the Public Relations Officer, Rev. Joseph John Hayab, said Nigeria’s unity should be considered above any sectional interest.

The statement urged the government to, as a matter of urgency, consider  the best ways to address the issues causing the agitations by revisiting the last report of the 2014 National Conference.

According to the statement, “We also wish to make it clear that we are stakeholders in the region called ‘North’ or ‘Arewa’. We, therefore, condemn the hasty and ill-informed display of lack of thoughtfulness by a group by the name ‘Arewa Youths’ and their sponsors asking Igbo to leave the north of Nigeria with a timeline.”

Details later…