Shettima Yerima, leader of Arewa Consultative Youth
Forum, says he has the support of elders in the
northern part of the country.

Yerima is one of those who signed the statement
where the Igbo were asked to leave the north before
October 1.

As part of moves to douse the tension created by the
statement, Acting President Yemi Osinbajo held a
series of meetings with stakeholders from north and
south-east.

Femi Falana, human rights lawyer, also opposed the
action of the group, saying Yerima should not be taken
seriously because he does not live in the north .
“The man who is giving quit notice does not live in the
north; he lives in Lagos. I am saying this, Shettima
Yerima lives in Lagos. He is a Lagos man. So to live in
Lagos and be giving quit notice is not the answer,”
Falana said last week.

But in an interview with PUNCH , Yerima accused
Falana of seeking cheap publicity.

“The Shettima Falana knows in Lagos is not the same
person in the north. I challenge him to come to Kaduna
and ask about who I am,” he was quoted as saying.
“I challenge him to go to Ekiti to contest a local
government seat. I am for and with the north. I am not
a coward. I am protecting the interests of my people
and I get support from my elders. Falana is living in
the past. I spend more time in the north than in Lagos.
“And, when did it become a crime that a northerner
cannot issue a statement in the north though he stays
in Lagos? I am a Nigerian. Shouldn’t Falana be
castigating the man who said he hates Nigerians and
doesn’t want his people to remain a part of Nigeria? I
am in touch with my people.

“I have followers; does Falana have supporters? How
many times has he contested elections in Ekiti State
and lost? Despite his level of intelligence, he hasn’t
won an election in his state. Leading your people is
not about propaganda and noise-making; it is about
facing reality.

“As I speak to you now I am in Kaduna. Is there a law
that says being a Nigerian I cannot do so? While he’s
busy pursuing personal interests, I am defending my
people against the insults and blackmail of one Igbo
called Nnamdi Kanu and his co-travellers. What has
Falana done about the insults IPOB heaped on the
Yoruba? He is seeking cheap publicity.

“I challenge him to come and see how I am living as a
king in Kaduna – I am being celebrated. I am here to
defend the integrity of my people. Does he consider
Nnamdi Kanu a foreigner – someone who has lived for
many years abroad? I have my roots in Zaria and I go
home regularly. When last did Falana visit his home in
Ekiti?”

TheCable