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Tag: ACF

  • Jonathan, PDP under fire over Buhari ‘death threat’

    Jonathan, PDP under fire over Buhari ‘death threat’

    It’s reckless, say ACF, APCON

    There was outrage yesterday over an advertisement placed in some national newspapers in support of President Goodluck Jonathan’s re-election campaign.

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), on whose platform the president is contesting, was under fire over the advertisement placed by Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose.

    The advertisement titled “Nigerians be warned”, quoted a Bible passage saying “I have set before thee life and death…”. It has photographs of the late Heads of State Gen. Murtala  Muhammed, Gen. Sani Abacha, the late President Musa Yar’Adua – all of who died in office and the photo of Gen Buhari, “age 72 from NorthWest again”.  “Will you allow history to repeat itself? Enough of state burials. Nigerians vote wisely. Vote Goodluck Jonathan. Northern presidency should wait till 2019,” it said.

    The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) described the advertisement as “reckless”, adding that PDP leaders have turned themselves to God.

    President of the Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria (APCON), the advertising regulatory body in Nigeria, Mr. Lolu Akinwunmi, described the advertisement as “unconventional, shocking and controversial”.

    Gen. Buhari, on his tweeter handle thisIsBuhari, said: “How can his (Jonathan’s) campaign be talking about dead ex-leaders, jogging around the stadium and outright lies about my health?”

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) described the advertisement as “choosing death for our candidate”.

    The party accused the PDP of threatening Gen. Buhari’s life and paying lip service to the Abuja accord signed last week by the parties to ensure a violence-free election.

    The Director of Media and Publicity of the Buhari campaign, Mallam Garba Shehu, said in a statement that “the PDP and its surrogates should be held responsible if anything happens to Gen. Buhari, before, during and after the elections”.

    The APC Presidential Campaign Organisation advised President Jonathan and the PDP leadership to take charge of their campaign before their surrogates plunge Nigeria into confusion and anarchy.

    It urged all APC members and millions of supporters of Gen. Buhari across the country to remain calm and not play into the hands of the PDP hatchet men to be provoked and thereby, giving them the much-needed excuse to abort this democracy before or after the elections.

    Shehu said: ”This is the height of desperate tactics by the PDP, which is capable of degenerating into unnecessary bloodshed and destruction. They are choosing death for us. This is not politics. We are, therefore, asking our supporters to stay calm and be law-abiding.”

    “Even as a candidate, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan has a duty to lead the country with responsibility up until May 29, when a new President will be inaugurated,” he said, adding that the on-going campaign on Gen. Buhari’s health, using forged medical reports, and now suggestions of death are reeking of plots to eliminate him (Buhari) before or after he wins.

    The Organisation added that “the world is watching and that if anything happens to Gen. Muhammadu Buhari before, during or after the elections, under the pretext of X, Y or Z, we shall be left with no option than to conclude that the PDP and their surrogates are to be held accountable”.

    “All APC members and millions of supporters of Gen. Buhari across the country should not play into the hands of the PDP hatchet men to be provoked and thereby, giving them the much-needed excuse to abort this democracy before or after the elections.”

    The APC stressed that it is committed to the peace accord signed by political parties under the supervision of the former Secretary General of the United Nations, Dr. Kofi Annan and the former Secretary General of the Commonwealth, Chief Emeka Anyaoku.

    It asked the police, the SSS, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the advertising regulatory agency in Nigeria (APCON) to do their jobs by not allowing these dangerous threats to democracy go unchecked.

    “Once again, the APC campaign advises all its supporters to strive to stay above the ‘rofo-rofo’, which is clearly designed to provoke our supporters to help the PDP’s sinister agenda to abort this hard fought for democracy in view of their impending defeat in the forthcoming general elections,” Shehu said.

    The APC Campaign said petitions were being sent to APCON, INEC, DSS, the Police and concerned newspapers involved “to protest this malicious death wish”.

    Also yesterday, Baraje, a one-time national chair of the PDP, now a member of the campaign council of the Buhari/Osinbajo Campaign Organisation, condemned in strong terms and in its entirety the advertisement.

    He described it as “high sense of irresponsibility and an insensible act.”

    Baraje said the advertisement was “not only reckless, uncalled for, but a type that can cause anarchy and crisis in the country.”

    He expressed surprise that the publication by  Fayose came a few days after President Jonathan, Gen Buhari and other presidential candidates signed a non-violence agreement for peaceful elections next month.

    Baraje said: “There is a limit to the tolerance of well-meaningful Nigerians to such inflammatory statements such as that of Governor Fayose. This shows the extent of the desperation of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party.”

    He drew the attention of Nigerians and INEC to the inciting statement credited to Fayose, asking them to call the governor to order.

    Baraje said: “Such a statement apart from having the tendency to cause anarchy and acrimony, the PDP seems to be preparing grounds for violence a few days to the general elections

    “Fayose should not dare God by asking Nigerians to chose between life and death which made him to refer to General Buhari, the APC presidential candidate in a news and pictorial advertisement sponsored in front page of a national daily as a dead man due to his age.

    ”With the statement credited to the Ekiti State Governor and the statement by the PDP Chairman, Alhaji Adamu Mu’azu that the PDP is a party of injustice and a party that lacks equity where monkey dey work baboon dey chop,  the present leaders of the APC have been vindicated by their move to leave the PDP enmasse and defect to the APC.”

    He warned the leadership of the PDP against bringing such injustice to the nation.

    “Nigerians should be patient and not take the laws into their hands because the ruling party (PDP) is already jittery about the impending outcome of the forthcoming elections which is already favouring the APC considering the massive support the APC has been receiving from all campaigns they have embarked upon,” he cautioned.

    Baraje drew the attention of the Inspector-General of Police, the INEC Chairman, DSS and other security agencies to the inflammatory statements originating from the PDP and its candidates particularly Governor Fayose.

    He urged the security agencies to “do something urgently so as not to cause crisis in the country.”

  • ACF, PDP chieftain say campaign reckless, uncharitable

    ACF, PDP chieftain say campaign reckless, uncharitable

    AN advertorial entitled: NIGERIANS BEWARNED!, sponsored by Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose and published yesterday on the cover of two national dailies, has introduced a dangerous dimension into the presidential election campaign.

    In the advertorial, the author asked Nigerians not to vote for the All Progressive Congress (APC) presidential candidate, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (rtd), who in his wisdom, is too old for the exalted office.

    Besides, Fayose alleged that three former leaders, who hailed from the Northwest of the country died in office, saying the country could no longer afford state burial. The governor listed Gen Murtala Mohammed, Gen Sani Abacha and Alhaji Musa Yar’Ardua as former heads of state, who died in office.

    But a chieftain of the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), Anthony Sani, described the on-going campaign against Gen. Buhari as worrisome. He said the leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has gone berserk.

    The ACF had an ally in a former PDP governorship aspirant in Kaduna State, Shuaibu Idris Mikati , who said the campaign of death-wish by the PDP against Gen Buhari has done incalculable damage to whatever chances President Goodluck Jonathan and the PDP may have had have in the North.

    Sani and Shuaibu spoke with The Nation in separate chats.

    Shauibu, who has not defected from the PDP described the advertorial credited to the Ekiti governor governor as “most reckless, unwarranted and uncharitable.”

    According to him, it was unfortunate that the governor Fayose embarked on such a devilish analysis aimed at denigrating the Northwest region, stating that his action smacks of desperation and lack of the fear of God.

    He said: “Governor Fayose’s advertorial is most reckless and unguarded. He has forgotten that no human has control over death. Only yesterday, I attended the burial of a two-year-old child, yet it was not the wish of his parents that he should die.

    “Now, we have a governor in modern day Nigeria, talking about the death of former leaders as if he himself has control over death. This is quite absurd and unfortunate. “

    Also speaking, the ACF spokesman described the campaigns against Gen. Buhari as worrisome and unfortunate. He urged politicians to keep to what they know instead of telling lies about the health and certificate status of Gen. Buhari.

    Sani said: “The allegations about certificate and ill-health against Gen. Buhari by the opposition party is worrisome in the sense that the campaigns should assume responsibility for issues that are of real concern to Nigerians instead of dwelling on irrelevance and things that do not matter.

    “Happily enough, both Professors Itse Sagay and Tam David West have said the courses attended and the public offices held by Buhari are over and above the educational requirements being demanded by the constitution.

    “Also Ahmadu Bello University has put health matter to rest by saying the documents being circulated about the General’s health status are fake. So, as the politicians canvass for votes, they should keep to what they know”, Sani said.

  • ACF rejects calls for interim govt

    ACF rejects calls for interim govt

    The National Executive Council (NEC) of Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) yesterday rose from its meeting in Kaduna, insisting that the general elections must hold as scheduled in February.

    It insisted on supporting Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, the presidential candidate of the All Progressive Congress (APC) in the February 14, Presidential poll.

    A statement by the National Publicity Secretary of the forum, Muhammad Ibrahim, said, ”the meeting deliberated with great pains on the continually deteriorating security situation in the country, especially in the Northeast .

    “The spate of continued and increasing violence with consequent loss of lives and property with many being dislocated and made displaced in their own country and neighboring countries and who largely remain uncared for has still not been addressed in spite of the Forum’s and other concerned Nigerians, persistent and consistent calls on the Federal Government to take drastic action against the insurgents.

    “Incidentally, only this morning the people of Biu in Borno State, were viciously attacked, however, we understand that the Military was able to repel the insurgents after heavy exchange of fire.  The Forum therefore commends the gallantry of the Military and sympathizes with the victims of this latest carnage.

    “The condition in which many displaced people are now kept in the various camps is appalling and inhuman. The Federal and State Governments are once more reminded of their responsibilities to provide adequate rehabilitation to take care of Internally Displaced Persons. (IDPs). The ACF also appreciates the support of philanthropists and urged them to continue the goodwork.” the statement read.

    On Buhari’s endorsement, the statement said, “ACF’s NEC Chairman’s statement on the issue of the Forum supporting a Northern candidate in the person of General Muhammadu Buhari is hereby reaffirmed.”

    “The ACF wishes to reaffirm that statement and dissociates itself from any contrary statement issued by any other member of the Forum. The Chairman is constitutionally empowered to direct the affairs of the Forum in a manner that is in consonance with its aims, objectives and policies and also project the image of the Forum at all times.ý” it said.

    ”Finally the forum wishes to refer to the statement made by the INEC Chairman creating doubts on the possibility of conducting elections in the areas affected by the current insurgency, and reiterate its earlier statement that 2015 general elections must hold in all the nooks and crannies of Nigeria.”

  • ACF not divided over Buhari, says Waku

    ACF not divided over Buhari, says Waku

    •Seeks resolution to Benue governorship crisis

    A chieftain of the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) and Benue State All Progressives Congress (APC) former governorship aspirant, Senator Joseph Waku, has said the North is not divided over the party’s presidential candidate, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, ahead of the February 14 election.

    Waku was a senator between 1999 and 2003.

    He urged APC national leadership to address the crisis in the state chapter, following the governorship primary, to avoid losing some elections in the state.

    Waku said those against the emergence of Gen. Buhari had criminal records or intended to carry out some criminal activities.

    The senator noted that Gen. Buhari’s Presidency would not be interested in witch-hunting people.

    He said: “There is no single division in the ACF regarding who becomes the candidate of any political party, not even Gen. Buhari. We are non-partisan. So, our job is like that of an umpire – we moderate. For all our children who want to get into politics, we advise them not to get into crisis. So, we are non-partisan.

    “I am sure you are referring to a dissident group called the Northern a Elders Council, headed by an outdated Northerner who has never won an election even as a councillor.

    “Otherwise, the North is united about who becomes President of this country, particularly a Northerner. They always believe that based on the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP’s) zoning, a Northerner should be a candidate. They thought the APC, which has no zoning, decided on a credible Nigeria who happens to be a Northerner. There is no division in the North.

    “There is division and hatred for those who are either criminals and are afraid of going back to jail, or those who intend to be criminals. These are the people against gen. Bihari in the North and in Nigeria. No Nigerian, who wants this country to progress, is against Gen. Buhari.

    “There are quite few people whose records are not yet strengthened who are afraid. But we keep telling them that Gen. Buhari will not run a vengeance government. He will not witch-hunt anybody. We are all Nigerians and, together, we shall build a united Nigeria.

    “But that is not to say that law and order will not be allowed to take its course. Some of those who mismanage their responsibilities may be called to question. It may not even be Gen. Buhari…”

  • ACF hails Emir of Zazzau on 40th year on throne

    ACF hails Emir of Zazzau on 40th year on throne

    The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has hailed the Emir of Zazzau, Alhaji Shehu Idris, for attaining 40 years on the throne of the emirate.

    ACF described the Emir as an advocate of peaceful coexistence among Nigerians in his domain, irrespective of their tribe and religion.

    A statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Muhammad Ibrahim, reads: “ACF is proud of the exemplary leadership quality and humility of the Emir in promoting peace and harmony in the emirate and across the country.

    “He is also known as an advocate of peaceful coexistence of all Nigerians within his domain, irrespective of tribe, religion… Zazzau emirate, in the last 40 years under Dr. Idris, has witnessed tremendous progress in education, agriculture, commerce and general socio-economic development.

    “The Emir is a bridge-builder whose influence transcends the boundaries of Kaduna State to other parts of Nigeria.

    “His interest and respect to the rich cultural heritage of the traditional institution promoted its royalty and elegance to the admiration of all Nigerians and foreigners, especially the beautiful durbar display during the Sallah celebrations.

    ”It is in view of these achievements that ACF hereby congratulates Dr. Idris on his 40th anniversary on the throne and wishes him good health and more fruitful years of service to Zazzau Emirate and Nigeria.”

  • ACF chieftain rejects calls for interim govt

    An Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) chieftain, Anthony Sani, has said the call for the postponement of the February general elections was uncalled for.

    The ACF chieftain also rejected the suggestion by a Lagos-based pastor that an Interim National Government be set up to take charge of the nation’s affairs.

    In a statement in Abuja, Sani, who was ACF’s spokesperson, said such suggestion would not add any value to the growth of the nation’s democracy.

    In his reaction to suggestion that an interim government be set up because of the present situation in the country, Sani said: “An interim government would not any value to the growth of the nation’s democracy.

    “This is because we are expected to improve the practice of democracy as we go along; more so that we do not know when the insurgency will end. That is if the calls have been informed by the security challenges.

    “If countries like Iraq and Afghanistan have been conducting their elections, Nigeria can conduct its elections.”

  • Buhari is our candidate – North

    Buhari is our candidate – North

    Following the ratification of President Goodluck Jonathan‘s candidature by the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the North has resolved to adopt the presidential candidate of the All Progressive Congress (APC), Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (rtd) as its consensus candidate for 2015.

    Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) and the Northern Elders’ Forum (NEF) on Friday said the North had resolved to support a northern candidate and since APC has fielded a candidate from the region, they have no alternative than to support him.

    They said, “President Jonathan shouldn’t be in the contest in the first place if the principle of zoning that was created by his party and the constitution is respected. He shouldn’t be a candidate by now.”

    The Chairman of ACF, Ibrahim Coomasie, a former Inspector General of Police, said, “First of all, the APC presidential primary and the PDP convention have clearly shown those who are ready to practice democracy. The APC’s primary was held smoothly without any rancour and all of them have come out to accept the result. That is a good omen for our democracy. I hope INEC will emulate that.

    “So, we are congratulating Gen. Muhammadu Buhari who has been winning primaries all through. Only when it comes to the general elections, he is always rigged out. We have also seen what happened in the other party.

    “I am the Chairman of the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) and we have said it before and we are reiterating it that, we are going to support a northern candidate. And since APC has voted a northern candidate, we are going to support him 100 per cent. So, Buhari is our candidate for the 2015 election.”

    He, however, said if Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha, had won the APC primary, they would still have supported him because he was born and brought up in the North and has shown interest in the development of Nigeria and the region in particular.

     

  • ACF seeks Sheriff’s probe over seized plane

    ACF seeks Sheriff’s probe over seized plane

    •Aircraft released

    The Federal Government has released the Russian-made aircraft detained in Kano, the Air Force said yesterday.

    The plane flew out of the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport where it had been detained since Saturday at about 8.46pm. It was carrying two French military helicopters.

    The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) yesterday called for a probe of ex-Borno State Governor Ali Modu Sheriff’s likely relationship with the aircraft.

    The Antonov transport plane flying from Central African Republic to Chad diverted off course to Kano. On board were two French officers and 18 Russian crew members.

    The plane, AN  124100R A82038, with flight number TTF 9042 from Bangui, Central African Republic, was heading for Ndjamena, Chad.

    It contained 24 military hardware, including a vehicle, helicopters and blades.

    The items are a steel box weighing 2, 600 kilograms, six bulks of 597 kilograms, two pallets, 10, 000 lbs of 4, 550 kilograms with air waybill number 88823400967 all destined for Ndjamena. It is not clear what the steel box contains.

    There are also two helicopter Gazelle, weighing, 2, 746 kg, destined for Istres, a community in Southern France.

    Others are two blades (7.31m) of 960 kg, two blades (4.83m) of 680 kg, six AKN of 720kg, one vehicle of 4, 050kg and two pallets (10, 000 lbs) of 2800kg, all headed for Istres.

    A statement from French Ambassador Jacques Champagne de Labriolle said the plane rerouted because of heavy air traffic at N’Djamena, the Chad capital.

    He said the plane was carrying two Gazelle helicopters no longer needed for the French intervention in Central African Republic, and being redeployed to Chad to support a regional fight against terrorism. The ambassador denied reports the aircraft also was carrying weapons and ammunition.

    “We are releasing the aircraft,” Chief of Air Staff Air Marshal Olusola Amosun told a news conference in Abuja. “We have had a very good, established relationship with the French government and we do value that.”

    The French statement on Sunday said two French military officers accompanied the helicopters. The Russian Embassy said it was negotiating the release of 18 Russian crew members.

    The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) yesterday called for investigation into the circumstances of the detention of the aircraft, especially the alleged presence of former Borno State Governor Ali Modu Sheriff at the Kano airport while the aircraft was impounded.

    In a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Muhammad Ibrahim, in Kaduna yesterday, the ACF said: “We call upon the Federal Government to thoroughly investigate the detained Russian aircraft, its contents, why it landed in Kano Airport, its likely connection with the current terrorism ravaging the North and the alleged presence of Sen. Ali Modu Sheriff at the Airport”.

    The famous northern socio-cultural group said: “Nigerians demand  an urgent explanation in order to reinforce  their confidence in the government and to also disabuse their minds on the wild rumors being peddled around of the government complicity  in the insurgency.

    “Furthermore, ACF urges the Federal Government to exercise caution and fast track its investigation to avoid any diplomatic row with the countries involved in this scandal.

    “Arewa Consultative Forum received the news of the detention of a Russian Cargo Aircraft alleged to contain arms and combat helicopters at Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano by the Nigerian military authorities with grave concern and apprehension bearing in mind the insecurity situation in the the country.

    “The cargo aircraft was said to be carrying two combat helicopters and consignment of weapons on its way to N’Djamena in Tchad and Istres in France but landed in Kano to refuel. However security checks on the aircraft revealed that sealed containers suspected to contain arms and ammunitions were found.

    “Recently, there have been wide spread allegations of influx of arms and ammunitions into Nigeria, through our boarders with Tchad and other neighboring Countries which have been a source of serious concern to Nigerians.

    “The Boko Haram insurgency which flourishes along some of the border towns with Chad Republic, alleged illegal arms influx through the Chad borders, Chad’s role in the aborted cease fire agreement between Nigeria and Boko Haram insurgents and now the Russian aircraft containing arms allegedly meant for French peacemaking mission in Chad calls to question the sincerity of good neighborliness,” the statement read.

  • 2015: Coomassie, Junaid write off Jonathan

    2015: Coomassie, Junaid write off Jonathan

    Says President’s declaration, looming disaster for Nigeria
    •He’s looking for tenure elongation

    The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) and other leading voices from the region have rejected the public declaration of President Goodluck Jonathan seeking re-election as President in the 2015 general elections, saying that, he has nothing good to offer the country.

    This is coming as the region has urged all Nigerians to out rightly reject the President during the presidential poll, arguing that, his declaration is a monumental disaster awaiting the country.

    Speaking in a telephone interview with The Nation, former federal lawmaker, Dr. Junaid Mohammed said, President Jonathan has done nothing to deserve another term and it would be irresponsibility on the part of Nigerians to vote him in 2015.

    According to him, “Well I have always said and this is not something new for me to say but his declaration is first and foremost a monumental anticlimax. Everybody who studied him, his body language, the statement of his handlers and spokesperson knew that this man is determined to go through and contest the elections even if it means destroying the country.

    “So, as far as I am concerned declaration or no declaration, the man is going to contest in spite of bad cloud that he was going to contest election in the country.

    “But even by his standard, I thought the way and manner he chose to celebrate his declaration less than 24 hours after the terrorist attack in Yobe killing more than 65 and close to 85 wounded is reckless and irresponsible. It shows that when it comes to striving for power, this president does not care about the welfare of the country, he only thinks about himself.”

    He added, “ I think if that is the case, we are all going to be in very serious trouble. Now, I wouldn’t bother myself commenting on what he said because everybody knew what he said was a lie. And when you compare what he said in 2011 and what he is saying now, you can see that the man cannot differentiate his right from his left.

    “What we have now after his declaration is a monumental disaster awaiting this country. God save us all.

    “Therefore, my advice to Nigerians is to reject him outright.”

    Similarly, Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) said, it was not surprised by the insensitivity of President Jonathan to declare and celebrate when parents of 75 Yobe students were mourning the killing of their children by insurgents.

    ACF Chairman and former Inspector General of Police Ahmadu Ibrahim Coomassie, who asked so many rhetorical questions in his reaction to the President’s declaration said, Jonathan is tactically looking for extension of tenure.

    According to him, “You people published our open letter to Mr. President and you made a good summary and analysis of what we said in the letter. Since then has anything changed? Is it not getting worse?

    “With the general election coming, we don’t know what they are after. Whether they want the election to hold or not. Are they tactically looking for extension for two years? Because if you cannot vote what will happen to the government when the time expires? Is that not what they were looking for even when we were at the conference?

    “My advice to all Nigerians at this point in time is that, we must continue to pray for peace to come back to this country,” Coomassie stated.

  • North to form united front for 2015 polls, says ACF

    North to form united front for 2015 polls, says ACF

    The North has resolved to form a united front with the intention to vote en bloc in next year’s general elections, the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) said yesterday.

    The decision was taken after a two-day meeting of the ACF and the North’s stakeholders in Kaduna. Many non-governmental organisations were represented.

    A communique of the meeting signed by ACF Secretary General Col. John Ubah (rtd) and  Code Group Secretary  Dr. Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, said the need for improved unity in the North to mitigate the potential damage of partisan politics and attempts to use religion and ethnicity to weaken the region was imperative.

    The communiqué said:  “The North has a majority in population and should use this advantage to negotiate and support candidates and programmes that will address the current challenges of the region and its need for massive rehabilitation and economic reconstruction in the future.

    “We have also resolved to mobilise Northern leaders to engage leaders from other parts and sections of the country in discussions and activities aimed at finding solutions to common problems and long-term strategies for improving the nation’s security, unity and prosperity.”

    It added that the North recognisesd the necessity of collaborating with all other Nigerians, including those living outside, on the basis of mutual respect and knowledge that Nigeria could only overcome its current challenges if all stakeholders are genuinely involved in shaping its future.

    The communique added that the north will reject any excuse to prevent any citizen from participating in the 2015 general elections. “Similarly, any attempt to secure extension of tenure under the cover of security will be resisted by people of the North.

    “Like all Nigerians, Northerners expect the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan to provide a secure and safe environment for the 2015 elections and avoid any attempt to jeopardise the democratic process in Nigeria.

    “We reject the recent allocation of additional polling units by INEC which deliberately conferred undeserved advantages on states in the south. The creation of additional polling units should be revisited, using standard criteria that INEC is aware of.

    “Attempts to blackmail and stampede INEC into abandoning its hallowed responsibilities to do justice to all Nigerians, or sacrifice the rights of Northern voters are hereby condemned. The North expects INEC to re-allocate the polling units in strict compliance with its standard guidelines without fear or favour.”

    The meeting also reiterated that efforts must be made to ensure that during the 2015 elections, all votes must count and the will of the people must not be hijacked or subverted under any guise.

    On the former Presidents, the meeting  “resolved to invite the attention of former Heads of State and President –  General Yakubu Gowon, President Shehu Shagari, General Muhammadu Buhari, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida and General Abdulsalami Abubakar, to recognise that they are severely under-utilised assets and northerners expect them to improve their input into influencing events around the region’s security and economic wellbeing.

    The communique urged Senate President David Mark, House of Representatives Speaker Aminu Tambuwal and all legislators from the North to note that Northerners expect them to exercise greater commitment towards ensuring that President Goodluck Jonathan’s government is made more accountable to Northerners and the citizens of Nigeria in the manner it handles national security and the management of resources of the nation.

    To the Northern Governors, the stakeholders meeting said citizens were disappointed over their seeming neglect of the security and welfare of the people of the North, adding that “in the next few weeks, activities of joint committees will approach governors and involve them in mobilising citizens towards supporting all measures to improve security in the North, and will inform Northerners of responses of all our elected leaders.”

    The meeting was attended by the leadership and prominent members of organsations, such as: Arewa Consultative Forum, Northern Elders Forum, Code Group, Northern Re-awakening Forum, Arewa Research and Development Project. Others are the Northern Union, Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Foundation, Arewa Media Forum, North East Unity and Development Forum, Northern Youth Coalition and Supreme Council for Sharia in Nigeria.