The forum
in a statement signed by its coordinator, Ango Abdullahi, disclosed that
President Muhammadu Buhari’s government has failed in its fight against bandits
and Boko Haram insurgents.
PREMIUM
TIMES reported the insecurity across Nigeria last week with over 140 people
killed in separate attacks, majority of them in Northern Nigeria.
“Recent
escalation of attacks by bandits, rustlers and insurgents leave the only
conclusion that the people of the North are now completely at the mercy of
armed gangs who roam towns and villages at will, wreaking havoc,” Mr Abdullahi
said.
“It would
appear that the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari and governors have
lost control over the imperatives of protecting people of the North, a
constitutional duty that they swore to uphold.
“The
situation is getting worse literally by the day as bandits and insurgents
appear to sense a huge vacuum in political will and capacity which they exploit
with disastrous consequences on communities and individuals. As a responsible
body, the forum has joined millions of others in prayers and in giving advice
and encouragement to all authorities that have responsibility to protect our
communities.
“It is now
time to say, enough is enough. Our people are known for their patience and
respect for constituted authorities, but all governments must be aware by now
that all Northerners have been pushed to the wall. The forum is aware that some
citizens are contemplating peaceful protests, which are their constitutional
rights, to draw attention of President Buhari and all levels of authority to
the plight of people of the North.
“Our
current circumstances in the North clearly demonstrate that President Buhari’s
administration has woefully failed to achieve either.This is unacceptable. We
demand an immediate and comprehensive improvement of our security in the North.
We are tired of excuses and verbal threats which criminals laugh at, and our
fellow citizens see as a clear failure of leadership which they see as part of
them. Enough is enough.”
Ignore NEF – Presidency
Reacting to
the NEF, the Special Adviser on Media to Mr Buhari, Femi Adesina, said Mr
Abdullahi was only speaking for himself, describing him as ”a mere irritant and
featherweight.”
”We are not
surprised by this latest statement by Prof. Abdullahi, and our past position on
what his group represents remains unchanged: a mere irritant and
featherweight.”
”The former
vice chancellor signed the statement under the banner of Northern Elders Forum
(NEF). Hearing that title, you would think the body was a conglomeration of
true elders. But the truth is that NEF is just Ango Abdullahi, and Ango
Abdullahi is NEF.”
”Before the
2019 presidential election, the one-man army called NEF had shown its antipathy
against President Buhari, and its preference for another candidate. They all
got beaten together.
”NEF is
merely waving a flag that is at half-mast. President Buhari steadily and
steadfastly focuses on the task of retooling Nigeria, and discerning Nigerians
know the true state of the nation.
”They don’t
need a paper tiger to tell them anything,” Mr Adesina said without addressing
the worsening security situation.
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