A group, Arewa Progressive Forum (APFO) has disassociated itself from the recent comments of the Northern Elders Forum (NEF) on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s approach to security in the region.
NEF said it had regretted its decision to vote for Tinubu in the 2023 elections, with a threat that the north had learned its lesson over heightened security challenges under the Tinubu-led administration.
However, the national secretary of the forum, Magaji Abbas Dambatta, yesterday expressed regret on the recent outburst of the group as it did not represent the northern agenda for peace and unity of the country, which is not negotiable.
To Dambatta, it was an error for any group or political association to come out openly and announce their regret over majority decisions, warning that northern elders are derailing from their counseling and advisory role to the government on national issues as it affects the region.
The group further supported the minister of state, Bello Mohammed Matawalle over his mature response to the NEF outbursts against President Tinubu, saying the people behind the claim were more interested in personal gains than the unity and survival of Nigeria.
“We wholeheartedly endorse the reactions of Minister of State Defence, Bello Mohammed Matawalle to members of this group. They are not in tune with the current reality in the North. The reaction to their utterances by the Minister of State, Defence, is appropriate because it is an institution that needs respect and dignity from all Nigerians.
“Northern elders should be seen as neutral, mediators or opinion shapers on national unity, cohesion, and progress without regional bias. This is key because Nigeria’s unity can’t be negotiated on the page of newspapers.
“The same elders that ignored and failed to unite some of our political gladiators that are fighting one another in Kano, Sokoto, Zamfara, and Kaduna states are talking about the region being abandoned to its plights.
“Where were they when a former Kano State governor Umar Ganduje was having serious political issues with his immediate predecessor Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso that almost destroyed economic development of Kano, a centre of commerce for the region; just like that of Zamfara State Governor, Dauda Lawal who was known to be at loggerhead with his predecessor, now Minister of Defense, Bello Mohammed Matawalle over issues that could have been amicably resolved?” the group said.
It also noted that Senator Aliyu Wamakko and Attahiru Bafarawa, in Sokoto State are at loggerheads with Aminu Waziri Tambuwal without NEF settling their rift.
“In Kaduna, there is a brewing misunderstanding between Governor Uba Sani and his predecessor Nasir El-Rufai. All the Northern elders cared about was President Tinubu, why abandon your burning house and trying to quench another person’s fire.
“We are concerned that, the northern elders have one of their members as an adviser on political matters to the Vice President in the person of Dr. Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, who could have facilitated a meeting with those in the seat of power to discuss issues affecting the region or the country in general rather than rushing to the press,” the group added.
The group however noted and commended the joint and unrelenting efforts of the National Security Adviser, Malam Nuhu Ribadu, and Minister of State for Defence, Bello Muhammad Matawalle whose proactive measures have helped improve security in the Northern region.
“We are of the view that President Tinubu’s approach to the issues of security in the North so far, especially Northwest is one of the best compared to his immediate predecessor, Muhammadu Buhari’s approach,” it said.
