From Okwe Obi, Abuja
Pan–Arewa socio-politcal group, Northern Elders Forum (NEF) has rejected special treatment and trial for Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
The group advised the Federal Government to ensure his trial proceed in accordance with the laws of the land without any special treatment, adding that elite who want special treatment accorded to him for peace “are merely inviting more threats on the people.”
It also charged government and security agencies not to allow IPOB truncate the Anambra State governorship election on Saturday.
NEF’s spokesman, Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, in a statement, yesterday, after a meeting with its leader, Ango Abdullahi, said the region would cooperate with other regions to produce a competent president in 2023.
According to Baba-Ahmed, the elders suggested the state independent electoral commissions should be scrapped and the powers to conduct local government elections transferred to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
“IPOB’s plans to frustrate the governorship election in Anambra State this weekend must be resisted.
“The ongoing trial of its leader should proceed in accordance with the laws of the land, and elite from the region who demand that he is accorded special treatment in return for peace should know they are merely inviting more threats on the people they should help to protect.
“The people of the North want to work with other Nigerians to produce a competent and committed Nigerian leadership that will restore confidence in our country’s capacity to survive and rebuild itself for the next generations.
“The forum notes that Peoples Democratic Party and All Progressives Congress dominate the political landscape. It further notes that Nigerians will benefit from additional options, both to improve competition and to broaden the leadership selection process.
“The forum looks forward to the emergence and consolidation of other parties in the political environment. The continued existence of state electoral commissions which conduct elections into local governments is severely damaging the democratic process.
“The forum advises that the ongoing constitutional amendments should include the scrapping of these commissions and the assumption of their duties by INEC,” he said.
He lamented that Borno State has not had electricity supply for over 10 months because of the insidious activities of Boko Haram insurgents.
The spokesperson said if labelling bandits as terrorists would quell the onslaught ravaging the region, the elders would support it wholeheartedly.
The Great Avatar of Ndigbo, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu must unconditionally be
released,because he has committed no crimes.
That our Great Avatar and his flag-bearing Millennials of IPOB are agitating unarmed, in non-violent and peaceful manner for the Self-Determination of Ndigbo does not in anywhere constitute a crime.
Having said that however,one is apt to wonder who are those so called Northerrn Elders?
But the erstwhile Monolithic (Sarduana’s) North is nomore and is indeed
as dead as dodo.
There in the North exit only Arewa Elders and Middle Belt Forum Elders.
While the former is of the Fulani and their Hausa/Kanuri muslim Elders,the
latter is of the Indigenous Qua(Kwa)/Bantu Elders of the North.
Those so called Nothern Elders rejecting special treatment for our Great
Avatar must be reminded that, our IPOB Millennials are merely exercising
the inalienable right,which is guaranteed them by both the AU and UN Charter on the Right of the indigenous People all over the world to seek for their Self-Determination.
We Igbos as an Indigenous People of Nigeria and of Christians Faith have
every right in this world not to belong to a country like Nigeria ,which is an Islamic Member State ( OIC,C8 and C15 Member State) ,governed by Sharia-
jurisprudence and in which we are marginalized,relegated into the status of
2nd class citizenry and currently are subjected to incipient genocide.
Come to think bout that; our Qua(Kwa) Igbo ancestors survided slavery,
our grand parents and parents endured British Colonialism.
Why must our fathers gain Indipendence from Great Britain only for us today
to be thus recolonized by those barbaric,bellicose and murderous Nilotic
Troglodytes,the alien Fulani cattle drivers of the North
Why must our Igbo Millennials be silly vassals to the Abokis like us their
parents today?
Nigeria We Hail Thee.Lol!
No to the status quo ante Bellum!!
Down with Fulani Isalmic Hegemony!!!
“According to Baba-Ahmed, the elders suggested the state independent electoral commissions should be scrapped and the powers to conduct local government elections transferred to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).”
While the South seeks devolution of power from the center to the federating states, you want the little power residing with the states to be taking to the center by scrapping state INEC so you can control and impose on the states. Do you see why the North and the South do not see eye to eye? The self-acclaimed spokesman of the criminal herdsmen, Ahmad Gumi who has done more advocating and inciting walks free while Nnamdi Kanu and Igboho who simply advocate for self determination are locked up. Our Chief Justice is practically an illiterate who was appointed solely becaus of his tribe and to uphold a rigged election, do you see why some agitate for decentralization, true federalism while others simply want to get out of Nigeria altogether?
We have to agree on the way forward in Nigeria that is fair, just and accommodating of all tribes and tongues. If not, you can shout one Nigeria all you want, but it won’t work! It will end in disaster. Are you guys listening? The truth is we all love Nigeria but it has to be fair and just.