Northern elders urge Osinbajo to beware of sycophants
The Northern Elders Forum (NEF) has vowed to resist any attempt to exploit the absence of President Muhammadu Buhari to achieve dubious political goals.
The forum also urged Acting President Yemi Osinbajo to beware of sycophants and mischievous politicians bent on pitching him against President Buhari or the Nigerian people whose mandates they exercise.
Addressing a press conference yesterday in Kano, the Deputy Leader of NEF, Chief Paul Unongo, said the forum expected that government activities would not suffer setback and or be stalled due to the absence of President Buhari.
“We warned those seeking undeserved political advantages to desist. The north is conscious of its obligations and rights, and will discharge and defend them without reservations,” Unongo added.
He said the forum had noted a renewed interest in the clamour for political restructuring of the nation, and sentiments which tend to create tensions around Nigeria’s co-existence as a diverse and united nation.
“We will resist attempts to create the false impression that the north is hostile to enquiries into basic of the nation’s structures and operations. We will also join other Nigerians in resisting any attempt to seek sectional and parochial goals outside the constitution and the laws of the federal republic of Nigeria,” Unongo said.
He also commended President Buhari for respecting the constitution and securing the release of 82 Chibok girls. Eight people were yesterday killed in fresh attacks on several villages in two local government areas of Benue State.
Six people were killed in Mbakuur ward of Logo local government area while two were killed in neighbouring Mbaya ward in Buruku LGA.
The Logo council security secretary, Tor Jiji Aluur, said in Makurdi that the fresh attack on the Mbakuur ward was carried out by the suspected herders about 3:00am on Thursday.
Also, the paramount ruler of Ichongo in Logo council, Chief Peter Iorhuna, said the affected place was the home of the state’s commissioner of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Mr. James Anbua. Anbua however said he was in a meeting and promised to call back.
The State Coordinator of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association (MACBAN), Garus Gololo, said he was aware of the fresh trouble in the said areas and on his way to meet with members of his association over the matter. He appealed to villagers to be calm.
The police however were yet to confirm the incident at press time as the state police commissioner, Bashir Makama and the command’s spokesman, Moses Joel Yamu are out of the state on official assignment to Abuja.
Yamu later told our correspondent on phone that he was not yet aware of the fresh happenings.