The Chairman Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Senator Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, has condemned the three months’ ultimatum given to Igbos to leave the North.
Speaking as a guest on Channels Television’s breakfast show, Sunrise Daily, Senator Abdullahi said the ultimatum is unfortunate.
“We have to understand that we are in a constitutional democracy and everything must be done within the confines of the rule of law,” he said.
According to the lawmaker, even though democracy has given everybody the freedom to certain rights, it also comes with some responsibility.
He said, “Yes, democracy has given everybody the freedom of speech, the freedom of association and the freedom to do certain things but it also comes with some responsibility and I think it is from this perspective that we must begin to look at this issues.
“First, it is a condemnable act and I think I heard the Governor of Borno State saying none of them is a councilor, now what this also means is that we have to begin to act within the context of democracy.”
Senator Abdullahi, while condemning the northern groups behind the threat, called for unity among Nigerians, stressing that the nation was at a critical stage.
“I think you can agree with me that at this critical stage in our nation’s history, that (the threat) is not what we need and I want to submit that those people who spoke in Kaduna were speaking for themselves.
“I am a northerner and I don’t think my constituents have even spoken on that issue. We are very accommodating and we have all manners of Nigerians living in the various domains that we represent.”
He also warned people against abusing privileges, saying, “I think it is time for us to say for every privilege there is some responsibility and you must be responsible for reactions.”