The Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, has announced that the Northern Consensus Movement (NCM) has withdrawn its quit notice ultimatum handed down to Igbos living in the Northern part of the country.
Otti disclosed this in a statement via his X handle on Tuesday, after a meeting with the leadership of the NCM.
He said the amalgamation of community-based socio-cultural and economically inclined northern organisations also supported the Abia State government’s decision to make the cattle market a daily and non-residential one.
The governor also assures all northerners and other Nigerians of different ethnic groups living in Abia State that they are welcome and safe.
He said, “Today, I had a fruitful meeting with the leadership of the Northern Consensus Movement (NCM), an amalgamation of community-based socio-cultural and economically inclined northern organisations. The group had earlier issued a quit notice to Igbo residents in the North in reaction to the Umuchieze Cattle Market issue at Lokpanta, Umunneochi L.G.A.
“I am happy to announce that the NCM has withdrawn the ultimatum and expressed their understanding and support for the Abia State government’s decision to make the cattle market a daily and non-residential one. This decision is in the best interest of the security and welfare of the traders and residents of the market, as well as the entire state. The President of the group, Comrade Awwal Abdullahi Aliyu, noted that the government’s decision was initially misconstrued, only to find out later that it was in the overall interest and security of all the stakeholders involved.
“I want to assure all northerners and other Nigerians of different ethnic groups living in Abia State that they are welcome and safe here. We are one and we will continue to live in peace and harmony with one another. I also want to thank the NCM for their maturity and patriotism in resolving this matter amicably. I appreciate their gesture of goodwill and cooperation.”
