Igbo Leaders, Northern Youths’ Meeting Ends In Deadlock

The committee set up by a coalition of Northern youths and Igbo leaders, over the expulsion notice given by some Northern youths to Igbos to leave the North by October 1, 2017, has failed to reach an agreement.

The 10-man committee, made up of five northern and south-eastern representatives each, was set up last week to issue a road-map towards maintaining law and order.

But while it set about its task, hate speeches persisted with a song in Hausa targeted at instigating resentment of Igbos circulating in the Northern part of the country.

Although it was given 72 hours to produce an acceptable position, the committee says it will need more time to enable it do a thorough job.

The statement signed by Chi Nwogu (representative of Igbo leaders), Dauda Shamakiri (representative of the Coalition of Northern Groups) and Isa Tijani (convener of the peace parley), said: “The Committee sat and deliberated extensively and agreed that there is the need for further consultations from both sides.

“Accordingly, the meeting adjourned to reconvene in the next 10 days where a final resolution on issues will be achieved.”