Two major southern socio-political and cultural groups, Afenifere and Ohanaeze Ndigbo, have dismissed claims by the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) alleging growing hostility and violence against northerners residing in the South, particularly the South-East.
The ACF, during its meeting in Kaduna on Wednesday, claimed that northerners are facing rising discrimination and attacks in southern regions. Its Board of Trustees Chairman, Bashir Dalhatu, lamented that while the North has long welcomed other Nigerians with open arms, northerners in the South are allegedly denied basic rights, such as land ownership, and are frequently targeted in violent incidents. He also criticized federal policies that he said marginalize the North.
In response, Ohanaeze Ndigbo strongly refuted the allegations. Speaking with the media Mazi Godwin Okenwa, deputy publicity secretary for the group, stated unequivocally that there is no systemic hostility against northerners in the South-East. He argued that northerners enjoy peaceful coexistence, own properties, and operate businesses freely across states like Anambra, Enugu, Imo, Abia, and Ebonyi. According to Okenwa, the reverse is true it is southeasterners who have historically suffered discrimination and violence, particularly in northern parts of the country.
Afenifere also condemned the ACF’s assertions. Jare Ajayi, the group’s national publicity secretary, called the remarks “misleading and politically motivated,” and rejected the idea that northerners are mistreated simply for their ethnicity. He also countered Dalhatu’s claim of anti-northern federal policies, stating that many government policies disproportionately benefit the North.
Ajayi took the opportunity to reiterate the group’s long-standing call for restructuring, arguing that the best way to resolve regional tensions and economic disparities is to allow states and regions more control over their affairs. He also pointed to unresolved violence and displacement affecting communities in Benue, Plateau, and Southern Kaduna, urging the ACF to confront those crises rather than deflect attention.
Both Afenifere and Ohanaeze Ndigbo rejected the ACF’s warning as unsubstantiated and called for unity, truthfulness, and structural reforms rather than divisive rhetoric.
