16th January, 2022
The Northern Elders Forum (NEF) has called on Nigerians not to repeat the error of electing another politician in the mould of President Muhammadu Buhari in the forthcoming 2023 general elections.
NEF issued the warning through its spokesperson, Dr Hakeem Baba Ahmed while addressing newsmen at the Arewa House Kaduna on Saturday.
Baba Ahmed urged eligible voters in the north to ensure that they are properly registered to vote out the likes of President Buhari in 2023.
He said the lives of northerners would be in danger if the like of Buhari becomes the next Nigerian president, urging the people not to sell their votes.
“Northerners were told that if Buhari becomes president, the country would be secured; he will fight corruption; the economy will improve. But now, we are worse. This is not propaganda; it is not fiction. It is a fact on the ground,” he said.
“Millions of internally-displaced people (IDP) camp in the north-west, where Buhari comes from as a result of the deadly activities of bandits, but the government is refusing to admit it.
“They are refusing to accommodate this view and consider the fact that we have IDPs.
“This is not the Nigeria that we voted [to have under] President Buhari, so he is a disappointment and that is why we are calling on Nigerians, particularly, northerners, to be very careful; don’t repeat the same mistake again.
While urging Northerners not to make the ”mistake of 2015″, Ahmed said “many think voting another set of leaders will add no value to their lives.
“We say turn your anger into an asset by voting in better people into office this time. There are politicians that will continue where the present administration stopped, and, while angry citizens refuse to vote, they will buy votes and get power.”
”So, the most important thing a Northerner will do for himself and the community is to register and vote in 2023. Do not exchange your votes for another four or eight years in a country where your dignity and your life have little value.”