Two Northern groups, Arewa Youths Coalition for Peace and Political Development and Northern Elders Progressive Group, have condemned Niger Republic’s allegations against Nigeria, demanding an immediate apology.
This is contained in a communique jointly signed by Alhaji Yasir Ramadan-Kano and Mustapha Dutsin-ma, representing the two groups..
Highlighting the communique while addressing a press briefing on Thursday in Kaduna, Convener of the groups, Yusuf Abubakar, said they collectively took the stand at the end of their 8th joint meeting on Wednesday.
Abubakar said Niger Republic’s President, Gen. Abdourahamane Tchiani’s claims against President Bola Tinubu were unsubstantiated and lacked any iota of truth, describing the allegations as irresponsible and unpresidential.
“We reject in totality, the recent allegations made by Gen. Abdourahamane Tchiani, Military Head of Niger Republic against Nigerian President Bola Tinubu of conniving with France to destabilise his country.
“We see such unguarded utterances as irresponsible, lacking decorum and unpresidential. These are baseless allegations capable of overheating the polity in our country.
“Our stance on this saga is total support and endorsement of President Bola Tinubu, especially with his giant strides of positive development, ensuring political unity, security and restoration of peace in our troubled North,”he said.
Abubakar, therefore, called on Tchiani to stop creating disunity between the two brotherly nations that have a common historical understanding, unity and regard for each other for decades.
He also cautioned some groups hiding under ulterior motives to refrain from fanning embers of hatred, considering its consequences for Nigeria’s collective survival as a people and nation in general.
“We must be patriotic and responsible on issues affecting our national growth, unity and respect,”he said.
Abubakar emphasised that it was high time for political leaders, elites and those in authority who were of the Northern extraction to come together and bring lasting solutions to the numerous challenges facing the region.
He stressed that unity, peace and development of the North was sacrosanct to ensure cohesion and political understanding amongst all Nigerians.
Abubakar said”There must be a way to bring all our political leaders together, united and committed to the development in the best possible way of going against hatred, mudslinging and mischief that’s destroying our collective interest as one nation.”
He commended Tinubu’s efforts towards sustaining the fight against insecurity bedevilling some parts of the Northern region, particularly the North-West zone.
Abubakar also commended Malam Nuhu Ribadu, the National Security Adviser for his ceaseless efforts towards ensuring security and peace across the country, particularly in the northern region, through kinetic and non-kinetic approaches.
“These have led to improved stability and security in some of the deserted areas bedeviled by constant attacks and security challenges,”he said.
He, however, urged Ribadu to use his office and bring an end to the bandits’ kingpin, Bello Turji’s nefarious reign of terror in Sokoto, Zamfara and Katsina States. (NAN)