6th February, 2014
Just like a schism was created in the Nigerian Governors Forum, the Jonathan presidency appears to have picked yet another organisation, the Northern Elders Forum for smashing.
A new group that styles itself, The Northern Elders Council (NEC) was born Thursday, with its chairman, being Alhaji Tanko Yakassai, a known backer of President Goodluck Jonathan .
At its inauguration on Thursday in Kaduna, the group pointedly pledged their support to the continuity of President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration.
“The Northern Elder’s Council upholds the extent of working relationship between President Goodluck Jonathan and his Vice Namadi Sambo.
“Sambo has worked diligently with President Jonathan and we urge that the two of them should continue to lead us to peace and stability.”
Yakassai further expressed support to the government for the proposed national dialogue and the modalities adopted to select delegates.
He added that the dialogue would “strengthen the bond of unity and solidarity among the people”.
According to him, the council is aimed at protecting the political and socioeconomic interest of the north.
He stressed the need for the people to serve as agents of consolidation and national unity, and to collaborate towards eradicating the current state of violence in the country.
“We reject intimidation, threat and violence. Leaders and elders must live by example. It is unacceptable for elders to make inciting and inflammatory statements capable of breaching the peace in the country.”
The Chairman disclosed that the council was ready to partner with groups and individuals, who were committed towards ensuring dialogue, mutual respect and peaceful coexistence amongst the people.
Governor Mukhtar Yero of Kaduna State said the NEC meeting was timely in view of the need for national stability and socioeconomic development.
Yero lamented over the incessant cases of insecurity bedevilling the nation, stressing the need for the elders to contribute towards transforming and developing the nation.
“As elders, it is time for you to put heads together in proffering workable solutions to the myriad of sociopolitical challenges hindering development in our country. Our elders must seek ways of reviving the strong bond of unity that used to be major basis of stability in the region within a peaceful and prosperous Nigeria.”
The governor stressed the need for dialogue to address insecurity and douse tension ahead of the 2015 election.
He added that the absence of peace in the north has contributed immensely to region’s economic backwardness and stagnation.
“I urge this group of elders to engage our people towards building understanding, need for every stakeholder to respect the sanctity of the ballots. It is erroneous for people to always feel that the candidate they voted for must be declared winner. Election is about numbers and only the candidate with majority votes as collected by the electoral body is declared winner,” Yero said.
The Northern Elders Forum is chaired by Alhaji Maitama Sule, with Professor Ango Abdullahi as spokesman.
The forum in recent times had criticised Jonathan’s bid for second term and the election time-table announced by INEC.