The Northern Consensus Movement (NCM) has withdrawn a 14-day ultimatum it issued to Igbo residents in the North to quit the Lokpanta Cattle Market in Abia State. The NCM, a coalition of community-based northern organisations, issued the ulimatum after the market was converted to a daily, non-residential one.
The NCM reverses its order after a meeting with the Umuchieze Cattle Market leadership. The group’s President, Awwal Aliyu, stated that there was no tribal sentiment attached to the state government’s decision and that Otti’s interest was in the security and safety of traders.
The governor emphasized that the government’s earlier directive was misunderstood and that the aim of making the market a daily one was to secure the place in the overall interest of traders and residents.