..Say’s North sinks lower in all indices of human existence under Buhari, NSGs
..Extend invitation to groups genuinely interested in Nigeria for discussion
By Gabriel Udeh, Kaduna
Northern Elders and Leaders have resolved that restructuring of the country remains the only vital necessity for survival as one united entrity of the Nigeria now.
They also lamented that the North has sink lower in all indices of human existence under the regime of President Muhammadu Buhari, Northern Governors and legislators.
This observations were contained in a communique issued at the end of the Northern Peoples Summit held between 7th and 8th of April, 2021 at Arewa House, Kaduna.
Participants, in a communique signed by Chairman of the Communique Drafting Committee Prof. D. D. D. Sheni, and made available Friday however stressed that North will not be stampeded or blackmailed into taking major decisions around rotating the Presidency.
“The North believes that restructuring the country is now a vital necessity for survival as one united entity.
The North will not be stampeded or blackmailed into taking major decisions around rotating the Presidency”, it stated
The communique further noted that the North drew attention of the country to the inherent fragility of the Nigerian State, adding that for Nigeria to survived, all parts of the country must equally “commit to supporting its continuation as one entity, without equivocation or subterfuge.
“The North extends an invitation to groups that are genuinely interested in discussing the future of the country. The North believes that every interest can be accommodated in one united, just and equitable nation, but the North cannot be the sole custodian of this endeavour.
“The North warns against the continuation of demonization, attacks and killings of Northerners in the Southern parts of the country. It demands that federal and state governments must take firmer steps to protect members of Northern communities who live in the South. This includes the arrest and prosecution of persons who are involved in these dangerous activities”, it added.
Communique also stated that “The North urges Northern communities to continue to exercise restraint and be good hosts. The north invites the attention of President Muhammadu Buhari, Northern Governors and legislators to the fact that under their watch the North has sunk lower in all indices of human existence.
“Delegates at the Summit commit to continuously engage in searching for solutions, as well as raising their voices against poor governance, corruption and absence of commitment to deal with insecurity, poverty and hopelessness among Northerners.
“Government should show effective presence in all ungoverned spaces in the North’, it also stated.
The North resolved that there should be government-backed negotiations and dialogue with the bandits, Boko Haram and affected communities for effective peace in the North.
“The North appreciates the response of H.E. Governor of Plateau State and Chairman, Northern Governors Forum (NGF) Rt. Hon. Simon Bako Lalong, to its invitation to attend the Summit, and be a resource person who enriched our discussions.
“The Northern Peoples Summit will be sustain and re-convene in the near future”, it stated.
Earlier, it stated that the Northern Peoples Summit convened on the 7th and 8th April, 2021 at Arewa House, Kaduna to discussed the issues bedeviling the North and the Nigerian State, including security, restructuring, economic, politics and the survival of the Nigerian State.
The Summit resolved to sustained the Summit as a productive forum for utilizing Pan-Northern assets in the search for resolution of Northern problems;
“To encourage Northern elites and political leadership to improve their levels of sensitivity to inclusiveness and management of the North’s pluralism. The North will be stronger if it addresses its internal weaknesses particularly around ethno-religious matters as it relates to its challenges with the rest of Nigeria.
“Perception and practice of creating minorities and majorities among Northerners should have no place in the North, nor is discrimination on the basis of place, faith or ethnic group of any Northerner”, it stated.
The Communique was also reportedly signed and attended by Air Marshal Al-amin Daggash; Northern Elders Forum (NEF) Amb. Ibrahim Mai-Sule; Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) Dr. Usman Bugaje; Arewa Research Development Project (ARDP) Engr; Bello Suleiman: Code Group (CG)Dr. Sadiq Umar Abubakar Gombe; The Northern Movement (TNM)Comrade (Dr.) Innocent Ahure; Northern Dev. Resource Centre (NDRC)Alh. Bashir Othman Tofa; Kano Concern Citizens Initiative (KCCI)Haj. Bilkisu Oniyangi; Arewa Initiative for Good Governance (AIGG)Dr. Rose Danladi Idi; Northern Initiative Forum for Dev. (NIFD)Nastrura Ashir Shariff; Coaliation of Northern Groups (CNG)Yerima Shettima; Arewa Youth Consultative Forum (AYCF)Murtala Mohammed; and Joint Action Comm. Of Northern Youth Ass (JACNYA)Comrd. D. S. Rimoni.
Others are Middle Belt People Assembly (MBPA) Alh. Muhammed Tahir: – Amalgamated Union of Food Stuff and Cattle Dealers of Nigeria Alh. Awual Tukur (Galadiman Delta); Northern Union Rep. South South Alh. Iliyasu Yushau (S. Hausawa Onitsha); Northern Uinion Reps South EastAlh. Aliyu Yaro and Northern Union Rep. South West respectively.
