Thursday, 28th March 2024
To guardian.ng
Search

Northern group fires back at Adesina, says he suffers amnesia

By Emmanuel Ande (Yola) and Saxone Akhaine (Kaduna)
18 June 2020   |   3:50 am
A coalition of northern groups have described the statement by President Muhammadu Buhari’s media aide, Mr. Femi Adesina, as a direct insult to northerners. It said the description of Northern Elders Forum (NEF) members by Adesina as mere irritants and featherweights could lead to a regional crisis.

Arewa youths split over alleged politicisation of insecurity

A coalition of northern groups have described the statement by President Muhammadu Buhari’s media aide, Mr. Femi Adesina, as a direct insult to northerners. It said the description of Northern Elders Forum (NEF) members by Adesina as mere irritants and featherweights could lead to a regional crisis.

The groups wondered if Adesina could address Afenifere elders as such, despite their persistent attacks on the Buhari government. In a statement yesterday in Yola signed by the National Youth President of the Congress of Northern Nigeria Christians (CNNC), Daniel Kadzai, and President of Arewa Youth Consultative Forum (AYCF), Yerima Shettima, the groups asked Adesina to withdraw his statement and apologise to NEF within seven days.

In the statement, the youths alleged, “The defence of the Special Adviser to President Muhammadu Buhari on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, in the wake of admittances by NEF is so flawed that one begins to imagine if the media aide, in the first instance, has lost every sense of basic reasoning and introspection.

“Indeed, the position of Adesina (on behalf of the Buhari administration) is a clear indicator that the same dyslexic amnesia that seems to affect the outlook of the president is the same that trickles down to his aides and finally his service chiefs who have completely lost touch of matters of the security of this country.” Citing the kidnap of police officers, the clergy, legislators and judges as evidence of insecurity, the groups directed Adesina to stop commenting on issue concerning NEF, which Buhari is a member.

MEANWHILE, Arewa youths are divided over alleged politicisation of insecurity in the North.Besides, one of their leaders, Nastura Sharif, has been arrested by the police for involvement in the protest against increasing security in the country.

Briefing newsmen at Arewa House yesterday, officials of Coalition of Northern Organisations vowed not to allow the politicisation of insecurity in the North. The group described those trying to politicise the problem as a benefit.

Spokesman of the coalition, Adamu Matazu, said members of the group believed that the security agents were doing their best to address the issue, even with some of them paying the supreme price. He appealed to Northern elders to distance themselves from politics and help the country with other solutions if they believe that the current approach was not working.

“Despite acknowledgement of temporary setbacks, which our security forces will soon overcome, we shall never allow the politicisation of insecurity by those who profit from an atmosphere of chaos and insecurity,” the coalition said.

0 Comments