Arewa Youths President, Yerima Denies Threatening Secession If PDP Or APC Gives Igbo Man Presidential Ticket

Arewa Youths President, Shettima Yerima has denied threatening to declare the Northern part independent from Nigeria if any of the two major political parties – PDP or APC gives presidential ticket to an Igbo Man in the 2023 election.

Some media platforms (not this one) had earlier reported a statement that quoted Yerima as warning political parties not to allow any candidate from Southeast to emerge as president since the region is agitating to have an independent state – Biafra.

But the Arewa Youths President in a video he personally made and disseminated on Sunday, distanced himself from the statement, saying he believes in peace and unity of the country.

Yerima said he believes in law and order guiding democratic governance which stipulates that every citizen regardless of which part he/she comes from has right to lead the country.

His words, “I knew nothing about the statement, and I am never a party to it. I believe we are in a democratic dispensation where the whole process is about vote, popular support, even though minority will always have their say while majority have their way.

“I am also aware that we are in an electioneering period where politicians are becoming more desperate by the day. They can always create unnecessary panics with the intention of getting power, and I am not party to that madness.

“In as much as I have an interest and know who we’ll support from Northern part of this country, and we are mobilizing, I also know that power is only given by God. If eventually it goes in favour of Southeast, I am a Nigerian and will remain very committed to the rules and regulations of the country. I have never believed in violence and will never be one now.

“That statement is not coming from me. As a matter of fact, a lot of my good friends are from the Southeast and I have a lot of confidants. I can’t imagine looking at their faces and abuse their sensibility by making such a statement. We are working round the clock to make sure that this country remains together.”

He urged all to remain calm and stay committed to the unity of the country.