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Your Call For Baba-Ahmed’s Arrest Pathetic, NEF Replies Ohanaeze

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The Northern Elders Forum (NEF) has replied to the apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, over its call for the arrest of its spokesman, Hakeem Baba-Ahmed.

Naija News earlier reported that the NEF spokesman had in a viral video asked that the Igbo people should leave the country if they so desire to secede.

Speaking further, Baba-Ahmed asked the northerners residing in the South to consider returning to the North.

Reacting to the comment on Thursday, Ohanaeze spokesman, Alex Ogbonnia, said the comments by the NEF spokesman are a threat to the peace and unity of the country.

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Ogbonnia added that Baba-Ahmed’s comment is provocative, uncouth and inflammatory, asking relevant security agencies to arrest the NEF spokesman.

However, in a statement issued by the convener of NEF, Prof. Ango Abdullahi, said the comments made by its spokesman are authorized and represent the forum’s positions.

Abdullahi said Ogbonnia’s comments were mischievous, dangerous and irresponsible, stressing that his statements were designed to put the life of Baba-Ahmed in danger.

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The NEF leader described the call for Baba-Ahmed’s arrest as pathetic and beneath even the ordinary standards of Ohaneze Ndigbo.

He, however, advises the Igbo group to focus its attention on ensuring that the people of the South-East are safe from multiple threats in the region.

The statement reads: “The Northern Elders Forum states categorically said that all comments and statements made by Dr Baba-Ahmed are authorized, and they represent its positions.

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“The press statement which he read on the 8th of June, 2021 at the Forum’s headquarters in Abuja in presence of the full Forum was the statement of the Forum by which it still stands.

“We’re aware of attempts to create the impression that this statement is recent as well as other attempts to misrepresent its contents to create scapegoats for the failure to limit the damage of irredentism.

“In spite of many efforts to inform the public appropriately, it appears that Ohaneze Ndigbo has fallen prey to more mischief, or is itself actively involved in incitement against a citizen.

“The Forum stands by its Director of Publicity and Advocacy, a Nigerian whose pedigree and service to our nation has few parallels.

“It sees the claim that Dr Baba-Ahmed is a security risk, and the demand that he should be arrested as pathetic and beneath even the ordinary standards of Ohaneze Ndigbo.

“We serve notice that we know who to hold responsible in the event of any harm to Dr Baba-Ahmed.

“The Forum advises Ohaneze Ndigbo to focus its attention on contributing to securing people of the South East from multiple threats, and ensuring that Ndigbo has a befitting relevance in Nigeria.

“The Forum affirms its full confidence in Dr Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, who will continue to serve the country and the North as we search for a future that accommodates all interests in Nigeria.”