Northern Elders’ Forum Laments Over Recent Pronouncements of Southern Governors
- The Northern Elders’ Forum says the south has ganged up against the north in Nigeria
- The group lamented that political leaders in southern Nigeria are fuelling ethnic division through their words and actions
- The forum, however, noted that such actions are because the Buhari-led government has shown weak leadership
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The Northern Elders’ Forum (NEF) has accused leaders in Nigeria’s southern regions of ganging up against the north.
The forum lamented that the situation has instilled fear in northerners, especially Fulani residing in different parts of the country.
NEF spokesman, Dr. Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, in a statement on Tuesday, May 25 claimed that southeast leaders now blackmail the federal government with calls for secession.
Source: Twitter
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In regards to the southwest, Baba-Ahmed alleged that leaders of the region had emboldened ‘ethnic bullies’ to force the federal government to do their bidding.
The forum lamented that elected officials in southern Nigeria are now showing irredentist and secessionist tendencies and movements.
The NEF also accused southern governors of hiding behind ethnic jingoists to whip up sentiments to get concessions.
The group said an impression that the entire south is against the presidency and Fulani herders is being created by the Southern Governors Forum.
It, however, noted that the move by the southern governors is due to weak national leadership and a broken political process.
Part of the statement seen by Legit.ng read:
“The negative attitude of the presidency towards engaging Nigerians to tap into ideas, grievances, and goodwill of many citizens who mean well is ill-informed and, under our current circumstances, dangerous.
“It demands that President Buhari asserts the powers our constitution gives him to protect our territorial integrity and secure citizens, or accept that he is incapable of leading the nation through these unprecedented challenges.
“If our country is to survive its current difficulties and build a better nation, President Buhari must improve his levels of competence, awareness that the nation is sliding into disaster, and sensitivity to the frustrations of Nigerians.”
The forum, however, restated its readiness to engage in exploring productive paths to a better future.
Legit.ng had earlier reported that the governors of the 17 states in southern Nigeria met in Asaba, the Delta state capital, on Tuesday, May 12.
At the meeting, the governors discussed several issues including lopsided appointments by the federal government, security, open cattle grazing, and restructuring of Nigeria.
The governors also agreed to ban open grazing in southern Nigeria due to the insecurity challenges in the region.
Meanwhile, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta state, on Saturday, May 15 said resolutions reached at the Southern Governors Forum's meeting were for the good of the nation.
Okowa stated this while speaking at the empowerment of constituents of Aniocha/Oshimili Federal Constituency by their representative and minority leader of the House of Representatives, Hon. Ndudi Godwin Elumelu.
Source: Legit.ng
