The presidency on Tuesday slammed the Northern Elders Forum, saying the forum is wallowing in “delusional arrogance” for stating terms and conditions for the existence of the country.
According to a statement signed by Garba Shehu, Senior Special Assistant to the President (Media & Publicity), only a democratically elected government can decide the direction the nation will be steered and not self-appointed leaders or those it described as “opinionated tin-gods.”
The statement read: “We are aware of the latest statement from the so-called Northern Elders Forum.’
“We wish to reassure Nigerians that it remains their democratically elected leadership which takes the decisions that steer our nation – and no one else.
“No self-appointed and unelected group can take this right from Nigerians – no matter how much coverage they might enjoy in the media. Nigerians listen to elected leaders, not opinionated tin-gods who have no traction with any responsible group.
“It is a delusional arrogance that would lead such a group to publicly state terms and conditions for the existence of our nation.
“Who gave them the right to ask for the exclusion, or expulsion of anyone, group or section of the country from the Federal Republic of Nigeria?
“The Nigerian government does not take guidance nor invitations from such groups – only from the Nigerian people who put governments in office.
“Any group can refer to themselves as ‘leaders,’ but in Nigeria, if you have not been elected by Nigerians to a leadership role, then you are not – and the government certainly doesn’t recognise you as such.
“Like many other countries around the world, Nigeria is feeling the strain of the current period of volatility and uncertainty. Now is not the time to seek to exacerbate divisions amongst Nigerians. Rather, we call on all Nigerians to come together and work to overcome the challenges we face as one nation, one people.”
In a response through a statement by its spokesperson, Dr. Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, the forum described the allegations made by presidency as untrue.
He said, “The attention of Northern Elders Forum has been drawn to a statement by Malam Garba Shehu, Special Assistant to the President on Media, claiming that the Forum has released a statement instigating a section of Nigeria to leave the country.
“Malam Garba Shehu’s statement did not quote a single word in the ‘statement’, and did not mention its signatory or its date.
“As a former journalist, he must know that no self-respecting journalist will take this statement seriously. His statement was entirely a monologue castigating the Forum over fiction which only he can understand.
“The Forum believes in the rights of all Nigerians to live in peace and aspire to their dreams. It believes in the utility and desirability of a united and strong Nigeria which will meet the aspirations of all citizens. When the Forum made comments in the past about the challenges to our union, security or governance, it always did so openly and in a responsible manner.
“It is baffling to see this unfair attribution from the Presidency, at a time when calm nerves are needed, and statesmanship should be on display.
“The Northern Elders Forum restates that it made no such release, and advises leaders to note the very sensitive times in which we live at the moment.”
Ifunanya Ikueze is an Engineer, Safety Professional, Writer, Investor, Entrepreneur and Educator.
