The
Pan-Northern group, Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), has opposed plan by
Transformation Ambassadors of Nigeria (TAN), a non governmental organisation,
to hold nationwide rallies in support of President Goodluck Jonathan for a
second term in office.
The
rally is expected to kick off today, Saturday, in Awka, Anambra State.
ACF
in a statement issued on Friday in Kaduna by its National Publicity Secretary,
Muhammad Ibrahim, said considering the state of the nation and the mood of
Nigerians, home and abroad, “this is no time for rallies”.
“The
present mood of the nation in the face of insecurity challenges of daily attacks
on innocent souls by Boko Haram insurgents in the North, ritual killings in the
West, kidnappings of prominent persons in the South South and armed robbery in
the East and the sudden entry of Ebola virus into the country through one Mr.
Patrick Sawyer calls for sober reflection, prayers and support to confront the
challenges rather than the solidarity rally being planned by TAN”.
The
Northern group said while TAN members were entitled to their rights as other
citizens, the current situation in the land did not call for celebrations and
political rally in support of any cause or any political office holder at this
material time of security, social and health challenges.
“Moreover.
INEC is yet to lift the ban on political rallies as per the provisions of our
constitution and the Electoral Act”, it said.
“Towns
and villages are being wiped out, innocent people and including security
personnel are being attacked and killed on daily basis in Borno, Adamawa and
Yobe states that have been under an emergency rule in the last 14 months.
“The
Federal and States Government combined effort in tackling the security
challenges is yet to achieve the desired result and some Nigerians are busy
planning celebrations.
“The
over 200 Chibok girls kidnapped 120 days ago are still in captivity of the Boko
Haram insurgents, another 100 young men have recently been kidnapped at Baga
Borno State, young girls are being used as suicide bombers, prominent persons
are being killed or kidnapped for ransom, Damboa, Gwoza and many towns in Borno
and Yobe states are being occupied by insurgents and Ebola virus is taking its
toll on those who had primary or secondary contacts with the prime victim”.
It
pointed out that the organisers of the planned rallies would serve Nigeria
better if they could pay attention to the plight of other Nigerians under siege
of Boko Haram insurgents, the daily killing of security personnel and innocent
souls by insurgents, destruction of property and displacements of 400,000
persons due to insurgency in the North-East and the Ebola threat.
“Nigerians
at this time need to unite and support Government efforts in tackling the above
menace not solidarity rallies”, it said and warned about “the likely security
threat and logistic burden such political rally will place on our security
personnel that are already over stretched with the issue of terrorist
activities nationwide”.
It
asked TAN members to be “human, sensitive and have a rethink on their planned
solidarity rally in the six geopolitical zones and shift it to a more
appropriate time especially the ones for Kano, Minna and Gombe for the sake of
Nigerians under siege of insurgency and other challenges”.
ACF
further urged “politicians and the generality of Nigerians to respect and obey
the letters of our constitution in all our dealings in order to deepen our
democracy, enthrone the rule of law and promote peace, unity and development”.
TAN
describes itself as “a non-governmental organization designed to promote good
governance. It consists of individuals of impeccable character fostering the
continuation of transformation by President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan (GEJ)”.
It
credits President Jonathan with “sterling human qualities, democratic
credentials and landmark accomplishments” that are “currently under marketed
and under advertised”.
The
first of its rallies tagged ‘Nigerians Demand’ is scheduled for today,
Saturday, in Awka, Anambra State in the South-East.
The
South-West version comes up next Saturday in Ibadan, to be followed by the
South-South on August 30.
Others
are: NorthCentral: September 9, Minna; NorthEast: September 20, Gombe; and
NorthWest: September 27 in Kano.
ACF
statement came four days after the Northern Elders Forum (NEF) gave President
Goodluck Jonathan up till the end of October to bring back the Chibok girls and
stop Boko Haram or forget 2015.
Daily Post
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