By Sani Idris
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 was 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, the group’s convener, 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 un-presidential.
“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 un-presidential. 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, which have had 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 for 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 northern extraction to come together and find lasting solutions to the numerous challenges facing the region.
He stressed that the unity, peace, and development of the North were sacrosanct to ensure cohesion and political understanding among 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, against hatred, mudslinging, and mischief destroying our collective interest as one nation.”
He commended Tinubu’s efforts to sustain the fight against insecurity bedevilling some parts of the northern region, particularly the Northwest zone.
Abubakar also commended Malam Nuhu Ribadu, the National Security Adviser, for his ceaseless efforts to ensure 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 bedevilled by constant attacks and security challenges,” he said.
He, however, urged Ribadu to use his office and end the bandits’ kingpin, Bello Turji, ‘s nefarious reign of terror in Sokoto, Zamfara, and Katsina States.
