Pascal Arogorn Ibe
The Arewa Youth Consultative Forum (AYCF) has alleged that a South-West politician is behind the current security breach in the region.
This was even as the forum vowed to expose the alleged sponsor if the attacks on the Northerners is allowed to continue unabated.
The forum explained that its independent investigation had revealed that “a certain South-West politician and his associates, have been fanning the embers of ethnic and regional hatred as well as igniting mindless and senseless violence, especially in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.”
Stressing that “his dirty political game is up if he fails to desist.”
The AYCF, in the statement signed by its National President, Alhaji Yerima Shettima in Kaduna on Sunday, said its condemns in totality the violence, killings and arson in Ibadan but explained that it was improper to punish the innocent majority because of the sins of a few criminals.
The statement reads in part: “Much as we condemn all crimes and criminals themselves, we cannot fathom why the action of a few criminals should justify any form of physical attack on majority innocent citizens and their assets in any part of this country.”
AYCF further said: “All Nigerians are living witnesses to the role of the Northern political elite in stabilizing the nation, using the democratic system of supporting the emergence of presidents outside the North. Our philosophy of self-denial does not mean, we are not aware of our political strength.
“When the South-West cried of marginalization over the annulment of June 12 polls, which the late MKO Abiola was said to have won fair and square, the North rallied behind the South-West, by giving their massive votes to Chief Olusegun Obasanjo in 1999 and he served for eight years.
“The emergence of another president from the North, the late Umaru Musa Yaradua was shortlived but the Northern Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) joined hands with Southern progressives to form the Save Nigeria Group (SNG) that helped paved the way for President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan from the South to continue as the nation’s leader.
“So, the North’s large heart in giving its total support for the emergence of political leadership outside the North should not be mistaken for weakness.
‘We cannot be stampeded into surrendering power just because of one man’s blackmail to fuel his 2023 political ambition.
“The North is never such a weakling and let it be known that Northerners did their best in supporting the emergence of presidents from outside the region not because of political blackmail of ethno-regional profiling,” the group noted.
The group also demanded that governors of the South West, notably the Governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde, to ensure that compensation is paid to the families of those killed and the survivors of the violent attacks.
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