Igbo Quit Notice: Northern Youth Leader Maintains Position, Says he’s Ready to Submit Self If Declared Wanted

Shettima Yerima

The leader of the Arewa Youth Consultative Forum, the coalition of Northern youth groups which gave Igbos in the region an ultimatum to leave before 1st of October 2017 has released a statement saying he isn’t on the run.

Shettima Yerima, in the interview with Punch said he didn’t go into hiding as no one is looking for him.

He has said that if he is declared wanted he will submit himself, and reiterated the position of the coalition, insisting on Igbos to leave the North.

“I did not go into hiding and will never go into hiding. We need to put the record straight. For now, nobody is looking for me and I am ready to submit myself if I am called. I am not a joker. Nobody is looking for me and I am not hiding anywhere from anybody. I am in my village, I am a Nigerian. If anybody looks for me, I will submit myself. I am not above the law. I am not on the run.

“Why should I go into hiding? I have a name, I have a face. I am not faceless.

“I am not hiding anywhere. Why should I hide? Where did I go wrong? Somebody wants to go and I said, ‘go, you’re free to go’. What is wrong about it?

“You cannot be in our country and begin to clamour for another country. Go to your place and declare your own country, not in my zone. It is a simple language. I have not committed any offence.

Photo Credit: Punch