The North Central Support Group has described as reckless and self-serving the Northern Elders Forum (NEF) statement regretting the region ‘s support to President Bola Tinubu during the 2023 presidential election.
NEF through its spokesman, Abdul-Azeez Suleiman, was quoted as saying that the North had learned its lesson over heightened security challenges under the Tinubu-led administration.
He said going forward, the region will prioritize unity and consensus in selecting a candidate for the highest office in the land.
However, the North Central Support Group said NEF cannot speak for the entire North on whom to support in 2027, adding that the president has done well so far and should be encouraged to continue the good work.
“It has become necessary for us as a support group and as those who have equal stakes in the North to disassociate ourselves from the reckless and selfish statement credited to the Elders Forum.
“Going through their statement it became clear to us that they have an ulterior agenda and cannot honestly substantiate the lies they are using as front to achieve their agenda. Their motive has failed even before it took off. We are wiser now and it will be difficult for anyone to toss us around in the name of talking for us.
“We are fully aware who’s agenda they have set out to achieve and it will fall like a pack of cards.
“We the North Central States Support group unequivocally dissociates ourselves from their agenda which is driven by greed and selfish interest,” the group said in a statement signed by its chairman, Mr Joseph Maiwada and secretary, Mr Abraham Stephen Narai respectively.
It said although Tinubu ‘s administration is barely a year old, it is performing well in critical sectors, adding that what the president needs is support from all well-meaning individuals and organisations for him to succeed.
It noted that NEF’s criticism is distractive and unnecessary, adding that with the person of Senator George Akume around the president, he is bound to succeed.
“It is a miscarriage of reality for the said group of elders to assume their selfish interest is universal and serves all. We are all equal stakeholders in the North and the greed of a few is certainly not binding on the majority of us who are patriotic and genuinely want the country to work for all of us,” it stated.
