The Nigeria Youth 4 Peace Initiative (NY4PI) has strongly condemned the demand by some northern groups for Igbos resident in the region to leave latest by October 1 this year. The organisation described the declaration as a breach of peaceful coexistence.

NY4PI, a youth organisation working on conflict prevention and peacebuilding in Nigeria, warned that in the “interest of peace”, creating hatred and tribal divisions within Nigeria under the garb of fighting for regional interest as represented in the “Kaduna Declaration” is a disservice to the unity of Nigeria.

Speaking in Ibadan at a brief discussion on “Promoting Sustainable Peace in Nigeria”, NY4PI Coordinator, Mr. Lawal Rafiu Adeniran, posited that both the Federal and State governments need to stand against any form of violence in any part of Nigeria. He emphasised that all stakeholders, including the youth, must be involved in the fight against violent ideologies as stated in the United Nations Security Council Resolution 2250, an agreement willingly signed by Nigeria in December 2015.

Lawal noted that peaceful coexistence is rewarding and should be upheld by all regardless of ethnicity, political ideology, or religion.

The NY4PI Coordinator enjoined those behind Kaduna Declaration “to eat humble pie and, as youth, work towards unifying the country against all forms of violent extremism.” He said they should come together to fight corruption, ethnocentrism, and political intransigence, and remain undaunted in combating extremism and promote peace.

He, however, advised that those fueling divisions stay away from being “rabid secessionists” and tread the right path in their agitations without hindering peace.