Aide to the former president Goodluck Jonathan, Reno Omokri, has taken to his social media page on Facebook to react to the support call made by the Northern Elders’ Forum, NEF, chieftain, Prof. Ango Abdullahi supporting the 3-months ultimatum given to Igbo living in the north to vacate the region by a Coalition of Northern Youth Groups.
Recall that the deputy leader of the Northern Elders’ Forum, NEF, had yesterday denied the statement issued by Ango Abdullahi stating that he and the leader are the only ones rightfully capable of speaking in the interest of the group on such matters.
In reaction to the former Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria’s Vice Chancellor’s support of the quit notice, Reno Omokri wrote:
“Ango Abdullahi is a liar from the pit of hell for saying that the Igbo should quit the North and that Northern money was used to develop Southern Nigeria. This is a direct quote from Ango, “I mean none of the Western and Eastern regions had the money to effectively run the affairs of its region until they get financial support from the Northern region.” How can a nation progress with dishonest and tribalistic elders as Ango? The British author and historian, Colin Newbury has detailed in his 2004 book, Accounting for Power in Northern Nigeria, that for years before the amalgamation, Britain had been subsidizing Northern Nigeria because of the deficit in her budget. Northern Nigeria could not sustain herself financially talk less of supporting the South. If you are from the North this is a fact, not an insult. Do not blame me. Blame history. In 1913, Lord Harcourt agreed to a proposal from Lord Lugard to amalgamate Southern Nigeria and Northern Nigeria so that, according to Newbury “custom revenues from the south paying for the projects in the north”. Right now, we should be building unity in Nigeria, however, we must not distort history to do that. Southern funds were used to develop the North. This is a historical fact. As a matter of fact, here is a direct quote from Lord Harcourt, the then Secretary of the Colonies who in 1913 said “we have released Northern Nigeria from the leading strings of the economy. The promising youth …is about to effect an alliance with a Southern lady of means (referring to Southern Nigeria). Time Magazine in March 1963 wrote of Nigeria thus “the country numbered some 250 tribes and languages, three principal religions (Moslem. Christian, animist), and three big, traditionally hostile regions: the feudal, Moslem North, which claims half the entire population of Nigeria; the East, dominated by the astute, industrious Ibo tribes; and the West, richest and most advanced of all three, whose Yoruba tribesmen are Nigeria’s most sophisticated citizens
Liar Ango Abdullahi should note the words “richest of the three”. Northern intellectuals like Farooq Kperogi should please research and verify if what I have written is fact and if it is they should please call Ango Abdullahi to order.”