2019: We Will Not Support Only Buhari - ACF

The Arewa Consultative Forum, ACF, has stated that it would not support only President Muhammadu Buhari as a candidate for 2019 election.

According to ACF, other northern candidates that joined the race would also be supported.

The ACF was responding to a request by a pro-Buhari group from Kano, under the aegis of Muhammadu Buhari Legacy Implementation Initiatives that only President Buhari should be supported for election in 2019.

Vice Chairman of ACF, Senator Abubakar Girei said the forum would not shut its doors against other candidates from the region if they indicated interest in the presidential seat.

Girei told the group: “I don’t agree with you that by next election North does not need any other person, I suggest that you reconsider your position.

“Secondly, you don’t need to tell us about Buhari’s honesty because we know, that was why Nigerians voted for him. What you can do now is to bring out the legacies or achievements of Buhuri, which Nigerians don’t know so that the people can appreciate him and his kind of character.”

Also responding to the request, National Legal Adviser of ACF, Hajiya Halima Alfa, as well as a member of its National Executive Council, Senator Joseph Waku, told the group that ACF was a wrong place for their campaign.

Alfa said, “This is ACF. In our constitution, we say we are not partisan, and so on, so whatever we do, we should do it in line with our constitution because here we are with Buhari legacy group urging us to vote for Buhari as President, and another time may come, and we may not know who is watching and listening, and for this body to pick Buhari as an individual to campaign for Buhari in 2017, I think it is wrong for this August body.

“I feel this is not the right place for you to extend this cause because in 2014/2015 when Buhari was coming, I will want you to note that this body ACF vouched for Buhari, and today is history.

‘’So, I will not support, according to our constitution, to come here in 2017 to canvass for Buhari in 2019. This is not the right place for this.

“For what the constitution of ACF stands for, we have to be very mindful because even in 2015 when Buhari was contesting, he was not the only northern candidate, we had about four of them from Arewa.

“If any one of them should come here and say they too want to portray the legacies of whoever they stand for, then we have to listen to all. We have to very careful and mindful of what we do”, she said.

In his own reaction, Senator Joseph Waku told the group: “This is a wrong place for your group to make a first stop, particularly for measuring two political parties in our midst. We are not here to assess political party that is strong or weak.

‘’Therefore, we welcome you democratically, freedom of speech, freedom of association, you are entitled to it.

“Having said that, Buhari became President of Nigeria because he is Buhari, it is not because of you, not because of APC, not because of PDP, it is because he is Buhari. And I keep telling Nigerians that APC did not win election, Buhari won election. And, therefore, coming to lecture us about Buhari legacy, you are in wrong place.

“We should go back to our states to pray for Buhari, and after that, we can talk about election. When Nigerians voted for Buhari, they didn’t know you and your group. We are not here in ACF for cheap publicity.”.

The Chairman, Muhammadu Buhari legacy Implementation Initiatives, Ado Mohammed, had earlier explained: “After Muhammadu Buhari was elected President in 2015, we decided that we should go round the whole country to implement Buhari’s legacies, assisting him from outside the government.

“We opted to look at his commitment, dedication, patriotism and sincerity of purpose to good governance and development of Nigeria.

“We are going to go round the 36 states of the country, beginning from Kano, to mobilise for the President. We have started consultation with the 44 local government areas of Kano State, all the 434 wards are involved.”

By Ameh Comrade Godwin

"El-Rufai Is Irresponsible" - Arewa Chieftain, Mohammed Abdulrahman

A member of the National Executive Council of Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), Mohammed Abdulrahman has described the Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai’s comment opposing restructuring of Nigeria as “irresponsible.”

He made the remark while reacting to El-Rufai’s comment, saying those calling for restructuring of the country are “opportunists.”

Speaking with Punch, Abdulrahman said the former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, lacks understanding of the “pulse of the nation.”

Abdulrahman maintained that Nigeria will be peaceful when it is restructured.

He said, “Kaduna State Governor, Nasir el-Rufai, said those clamouring for restructuring are opportunists. What’s your reaction to that?

“Let me state categorically that the statement of Governor Nasir el-Rufai is irresponsible. I do not think he has spoken as someone who understands the pulse of the nation.

” How can he say those who are calling for more powers to be given to each of the federating units of the federation are opportunists?

“What about him? We know about his ambition; he wants to be president of this country. We know what he did as the Federal Capital Territory minister under the regime of Olusegun Obasanjo.

“His tainted records are there for all to see. Who is he? We know who he is. People need to understand that the call for restructuring is not about some individual’s interests.

“It is what will bring lasting peace and sense of equity to the federating units.

“Is he saying that other prominent and respected Nigerians who have thrown their weight behind restructuring are opportunists.”

By Seun Opejobi

Quit Notice To Igbos: I Am Willing To Turn Myself In – Arewa Youth Leader, Yerima

The Leader of the Arewa Youths Consultative Forum, Shettima Yerima has said he would submit himself for questioning if security agencies declare him wanted. 

Yerima is chief speaker of the group, who issued a notice to the Igbos to quit the 19 northern states.

He has now denied reports that he is on the run and insists he has nothing to fear.

In an interview with Punch, Yerima said, “I did not go into hiding and will never go into hiding. We need to put the record straight.

“For now, nobody is looking for me and I am ready to submit myself if I am called. I am not a joker. Nobody is looking for me and I am not hiding anywhere from anybody. I am in my village, I am a Nigerian. If anybody looks for me, I will submit myself. I am not above the law. I am not on the run.”

He once again insisted that the Igbos should leave Nigeria.

“Why should I go into hiding? I have a name, I have a face. I am not faceless.

“I am not hiding anywhere. Why should I hide? Where did I go wrong? Somebody wants to go and I said, ‘go, you’re free to go’. What is wrong about it?

“You cannot be in our country and begin to clamour for another country. Go to your place and declare your own country, not in my zone. It is a simple language. I have not committed any offence,” Yerima added.

By Ifreke Inyang

Dangote Speaks On Quit Notice To Igbos

The Chairman of Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote has reacted to the quit notice issued to Igbos by a coalition of northern youths.

The Arewa groups had asked South-easterners living in the north to vacate before October 1.

Giving his position on the issue which has drawn condemnation from many groups and individuals, the billionaire said joblessness was the reason for the ultimatum.

Dangote said this when a team of business executives from Lagos Business School (LBS), visited his multi-billion dollars refinery and petrochemical projects in Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos.

“Some guys who have no relevance and values came out to issue a warning that Igbo should leave the North.

‘I am surprised everybody started talking about this nonsense. Why are we talking about it?

“Obviously, in a place where there is a lot of joblessness, it is expected that this kind of jobless people would come out with all sorts of anger.

“We understand the reasons why they are angry, but they cannot justify their action when they have decided not to work.

“They only issue senseless warning to keep themselves relevant,” Nation quoted him.

Africa’s richest man assured that his refinery project, when completed, would create thousands of direct jobs for the youths and millions of indirect jobs in the value chain.

By Wale Odunsi

Agitations: The Presidency Is Aware Of Your Grievances - Osinbajo Tells Nigerians

Acting President Yemi Osinbajo, has again assured Nigerians that the Muhammadu Buhari’s administration is not deaf to grievances in parts of the country and will address them.

This was contained in a statement to summarize the outcomes of the series of consultations he had with leaders from the North, Southeast and the media over the last two weeks.

His parleys were in response to the three-month deadline given the Igbo to vacate north by Arewa youths in response to the secession demands by the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB) Between June 13 and 22, 

Osinbajo used the meetings to urge that such grievances be expressed with grace. He also expressed satisfaction with the outcomes of the meetings.

According to the presidency, the meetings were convened to provide for frank and open discussions between the concerned stakeholders and by extension the Nigerian public on issues relating to the unity, peace and security of country.

Osinbajo’s media aide, Laolu Akande said in a statement the VP will continue to actively engage with different segments of the Nigerian population at different stages and format in the near future.

He said the meetings touched on various issues relating to ethnic agitations that have manifested most recently in a call for secession by some groups of youth from the Southeast, and an ultimatum by Northern youths for south-easterners living in the North to leave the region by  October 1.

The meetings the statement noted “Condemned all the hateful and divisive comments by the concerned groups of Northern and Southeastern youths.

“It also affirmed the primacy of the Constitution of Nigeria, the ultimate basis for the unity of Nigeria that guarantees freedom of residence and of movement for all Nigerians anywhere in the country, without fear of discrimination or prejudice.

“It affirmed the need to draw a line between the freedom of expression guaranteed by the Constitution and the degeneration of such expression into hateful rhetoric, prejudice and hatred. Under no circumstances will Government condone or tolerate hate speech in any way or form.

“The necessity of confronting all grievances and frustrations head-on, however uncomfortable that might seem now; instead of ignoring issues and allowing them to fester.

“The need for all leaders and elders, regardless of political or ideological persuasion, to speak out more forcefully to counter divisive and hate speech and any form of warmongering.”

Osinbajo according to the statement while appreciating all the leaders for their time and commitment to the unity, peace and progress of the Nigerian nation, assured that the Nigerian people of the determination and resolve of the Buhari administration to ensure their well-being and security at all times.

“The Federal Government will continue to actively engage with Nigerians of all shades and opinions in its bid to move the country forward on a path of socio-economic development and ultimate greatness.”

Osinbajo met with Northern Leaders of Thought on Tuesday, June 13, Southeast Leaders of Thought on Wednesday on June 14, Southeast Traditional Rulers on Sunday June 18, the Northern Traditional Rulers on Tuesday June 20, All State Governors on Wednesday June 21, and Publishers and Editors on Thursday June 22.

By Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye

Herdsmen Attack: Edo Proposes Data Base For Northerners

Edo State Government says it plans to have a database of Northern settlers in the state as a way to tackle cases of suspected Fulani herdsmen attack on farmers.

This is contained in a statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Mr. John Mayaki and made available to newsmen in Benin on Friday.

The governor said the initiative was to allow for identification of strange characters within the State.

According to the statement, Obaseki made this known to members of Arewa community in the state led by its President General, Alhaji Sahabi Umar after sharing ideas with them at Government House, Benin on Thursday night.

The governor urged Arewa community in the state to embrace the diversity which exists in Nigeria and forge a united bond.

He asserted that no true Fulani herdsman would abandon his cattle and take to killing of innocent farmers; rather, the recent cases of rape and murder were perpetrated by foreign elements bent on causing conflict.

He said “To checkmate the ugly trend, a committee will be set up to carry out community by community delineation of northern settlers across the state to help identify new comers and their aims.”

On the issue of grazing, Obaseki noted that fenced grazing areas with watering facilities would be clearly defined by government for herdsmen to feed their cattle with payment of economic fees for services rendered.

The governor assured of fair treatment in spite of religious differences, acknowledging intermarriage has made them stakeholders in Edo.

Earlier in his remarks, President of Arewa community in Edo, Alhaji Umar appreciated the governor for breaking fast with them and stated that Arewa community was unhappy with recent attacks as it was giving them a bad name.

Alhaji Umar pledged to support government in identifying and dealing with bad elements amongst the Fulani.

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