The Coalition of Northern Groups (CNG), has called on the northerners not to support any political party, formation or movement that has the participation of the Igbo people.
It also called on northerners to boycott all businesses operated by the Igbo all over the North.
The CNG explained that this followed an alleged ban on the consumption of beef by the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra.
Abdul-Azeez Suleiman, the CNG spokesperson in a statement made available to newsmen, lamented that IPOB’s order in a statement on Monday by Emma Powerful, amounted to a grave provocation and serious threat to northern commercial interests in the South-East, as well as the physical wellbeing of Northerners living as minorities among Igbo communities.
According to the statement, the CGN decision is a renewed resolve to “pay coin for coin” for any direct or indirect attack or threat to Northerners and their interests anywhere in the country.
According to the statement, “For the avoidance of doubt, the North while maintaining its tradition of tolerance and accommodation, shall, however, no longer be disposed to condoning further acts of irresponsibility in the form of deliberate threats of intimidation or harassment targeted at Northerners living and doing legitimate businesses elsewhere in the country.”
It explained that such utterances have in the past been preludes to physical attacks on northerners and destruction of their properties, particularly in the South-East, advising northern transporters and suppliers of goods to consider alternative trade routes to avoid the imminent risks that come with the IPOB threat.
The group noted that the North has had enough of the antagonism from the South-East and its attack dog, the IPOB, saying that it would no longer remain passive under what it called “such deliberate and sustained attacks”, but will henceforth be forced to react to every provocation and unwarranted abuse and violations by IPOB.
