Coalition for the Survival of Nigeria (CSN) has asked Nigerians, especially high-profile personalities to stop fanning the embers of ethnicity and other primordial sentiments and join hands with the authorities for the survival and growth of Nigeria.
The group also urged President Bola Tinubu to remain firm, focused and committed to the ultimate rescue of the Nigerian economy from further dwindle and the ultimate protection of life and property of Nigerians and setting her on the path of growth and development
Addressing journalists at a press conference yesterday in Abuja, chairman of the coalition, Ezekiel Imiya Afukonyo said saluted the patience, forbearance and support of Nigerians for federal government despite the incitements by agents-provocateurs and the sense of patriotism displayed by Nigerians who are convinced that the steps being taken by Present Tinubu’s administration may bear pains today but would deliver gains in future.
The group was reacting to media reports attributed to former minister of agriculture Audu Ogbe and Gen. Lawrence Onoja (rtd) over their comments on recent appointments by President Tinubu where they accused the President of picking all his appointees from Tiv tribe, while leaving out other minority tribes of Benue State.
A member of the group, Hon. Inalegwu Adaje had demanded for the removal of George Akume from office as the secretary to the government of the federation over the nomination of a minister from his Tiv extraction. “We find this call preposterous and unfortunate,” Afukonyo said.
Benue State convener for the coalition Mr. Loverty Terr Makyur said Nigerians shouldn’t be talking about majority or minority in a 21st century world driven by technology and not tribe nor primordial sentiments.
“Idoma people are effective minority,” Makyur said why acknowledging the competence of people from all tribes to be appointed into public office.
Makyur however said “Why are we fanning embers of ethnicity in this 22st century? If there are issues, dialogue is the best instrument in a democracy. Why are we fanning embers of ethnicity when are supposed to support the president to succeed?”
The group said the act of balancing and spread in a heterogeneous society is a mark of political brinkmanship and nation building, saying President Tinubu easily leads in that regard.
“We appeal to this group of individuals not to drag Mr. President into the domestic affairs of Benue state. Nevertheless, we know that the history of federal appointments from Benue does not support the case of this group. Chief Ogbe referred to States where governorship rotates between and among the senatorial districts. He may have forgotten the many others where this is not the case. However, this extra-constitutional practice is the product of intra-state negotiations and cooperation, not confrontation and castigation,” Afukonyo said.
Afukonyo said the coalition is not a political party group, adding that it is simply a group of concerned Nigerians who are determined to ensure that the incumbent government succeeds. He said his group is bent on seeing how Nigeria and Nigerians can survive. “We a group who wants to ensure that the country does not collapse,” he said when this reporter asked if the group was set up as a propagandist for the administration.
