The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) on Wednesday called on Nigerians to disregard the ultimatum and counter ultimatum by “divisive elements of the society” given to some Nigerians to leave for their states or regions.
Following an emergency meeting the ACF restated its commitment to a united Nigeria which is ”socially diverse,” and condemned any violence, be it ethno-religious or otherwise.
Those who give any such ultimatum, it said in a statement, are on their own.
“Specifically, the Boko Haram sect does not represent Muslims in the North, let alone the people of the North nor does it speak for Muslims in Nigeria, just as those extremists elements in Niger Delta do not speak for the good people of the Niger Delta region,” the statement said, adding that they speak only for themselves.
The ACF, in what seemed to be a jibe at President Goodluck Jonathan, drew the attention of Nigerian leaders-be they political or religious-to beware of making unguarded statements claiming knowledge of supporters of evil doers without naming them. “Such statements should have no place in delicate situations such as we have in our country today,” it noted.
Said Mr. Jonathan said recently, “Boko Haram is everywhere, in the executive arm of government, in the legislative arm of government and even in the judiciary. Some are also in the armed forces, the police and other security agencies. Some continue to dip their hands and eat with you and you won't even know the person who will point a gun at you or plant a bomb behind your house."
The Forum commended Nigerians of both faiths who are already working together to narrow the differences among themselves and are creating interreligious harmony, such as noticed in Niger, Kano and Kaduna states and the FCT, where Muslims and Christians took turns to protect one another while observing their religious rites.
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