The Arewa Consultative Forum on Monday urged the Federal Government to take urgent action to check threats to national security, especially by some former Niger Delta militant leaders.
The forum, in a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Mohammed Ibrahim, said such threats were uncalled for in a democratic setting, which allowed Nigerians the right to choose their leaders.
Victor Ben-Ebikabowei, aka Boy Loaf, and Government Ekpemupolo, aka Tompolo, had threatened to unleash violence on Nigeria if President Goodluck Jonathan was not re-elected.
The forum described such threats as an open challenge to the security agencies, especially the Nigeria Police Force, the Directorate of State Services and the Nigerian military.
“ACF hereby calls upon the Federal Government to urgently take necessary steps and contain this emerging threat to national security by Niger Delta ex-militants to avert any ugly consequences,” it said.
The forum noted: “President Jonathan ascended the throne through democratic means of canvassing for votes without any form of molestation throughout the length and breadth of Nigeria in 2011.”
It added that the same method used to elect the president and other candidates in 2011 would be used to choose Nigeria’s leaders, including the president, in 2015 and not through intimidation, threats and ultimatum.
The forum said it viewed such threats and intimidation by the ex-militants as an affront not only to Nigerians but an attack on a democratically elected Government of Nigeria which Jonathan was heading.
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