The Arewa Consultative Forum has said that rather than campaigning for reelection, President Goodluck Jonathan should focus on solving the myriad of problems confronting the country.
The ACF, reacting to the proposed nationwide rally for Jonathan ahead of the 2015 presidential election by the Transformation Ambassadors of Nigeria, said it was not in sync with the mood of the nation.
In a statement on Friday by its National Publicity Secretary, Muhammad Ibrahim, in Kaduna, the ACF said the proposed rally in the six states of the geopolitical zone even runs counter to the provisions of the Electoral Act as the Independent National Electoral Commission has not lifted the restriction on political rallies ahead of the 2015 election.
Ibrahim said in the statement: “The members of TAN are certainly Nigerians entitled to their fundamental rights of association and free movement in any part of Nigeria as guaranteed in the Nigerian constitution.
“However, the present mood of the Nation in the face of insecurity challenges of daily attacks on innocent souls by Boko Haram insurgents in the North, ritual killings in the West, kidnappings of prominent persons in the South South and armed robbery in the East and the sudden entry of Ebola virus into the country through one Mr. Sawyer calls for sober reflection, prayers and support to confront the challenges rather than the solidarity rally being planned by TAN.
“Towns and villages are being wiped out, innocent people and including security personnel are being attacked and killed on daily basis in Borno, Adamawa and Yobe states that have been under an emergency rule in the last 14 months.
“The Federal and State Governments’ combined efforts in tackling the security challenges (are) yet to achieve the desired result and some Nigerians are busy planning celebrations.
“The over 200 Chibok girls kidnapped 120 days ago are still in captivity of the Boko Haram insurgents, another 100 young men have recently been kidnapped at Baga Borno state, young girls are being used as suicide bombers, prominent persons are being killed or kidnapped for ransom, Damboa, Gwoza and many towns in Borno and Yobe states are being occupied by insurgents and Ebola virus is taking its toll on those who had primary or secondary contacts with the prime victim.
“The daily killing of security personnel and innocent souls by insurgents, destruction of property and displacements of 400,000 persons due to insurgency the North East coupled with the current health challenges of Ebola virus are all issues of concern to all.
“Nigerians at this time need to unite and support Government efforts tackling the above menace not solidarity rallies.
“ACF is seriously concerned and worried with the likely security threat and logistic burden such political rally will place on our security personnel that are already over stretched with the issue of terrorist activities nationwide.
“ACF therefore calls on TAN members to be human, sensitive and have a rethink on their planned solidarity rally in the six geopolitical zones and shift it to a more appropriate time especially the ones for Kano, Minna and Gombe for the sake of Nigerians under siege of insurgency and other challenges.
“ACF equally urges politicians and indeed Nigerians to respect and obey the letters of our constitution in all our dealings in order to deepen our democracy, enthrone the rule of law.”
Trending
- Ondo 2024: 171,922 accredited for APC primaries
- Intimate Affairs: Assisted fatherhood, by Funke Egbemode
- NGE, UNICEF sign MoU to boost advocacy for children’s rights
- Killings: No sane foreigner will invest in Nigeria — TY Danjuma
- Alake backs Oyo’s quest for mining licences
- Plateau: Police release casualty figures in latest gunmen attack
- Yahaya Bello: Tread softly, Arewa group tells EFCC
- EFCC and the brigandage that won’t stop, by Lere Olayinka