Chidi Samuel|
Five socio-cultural organisations has endorsed the candidature of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, ahead the 2019 presidential election.
The groups who made their position known on Sunday are, Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), Northern Elders’ Forum (NEF), Middle Belt Forum (MBF), a faction of Ohanaeze Ndigbo and Afenifere .
It will be recalled that earlier last week, a faction of Afenifere, led by Ayo Fasanmi, and Ohaneze Ndi Igbo lead by its secretary, Uche Okechukwu endorsed President Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
According to the groups, Atiku has shown that he will restructure the country if given the mandate, while Buhari has succeeded in emphasising ethnicity and religion in his administration.
Below are the views expressed by the various groups…
Ango Abdullahi, convener of Northern Elders’ Forum (NEF), Nigeria is at a cross road, attributing the endorsement of Atiku to principles reached a year ago.
“The reality is that we have to fish for a president among the two major parties, the ruling, and the main opposition,” he said.
“It is clear that the country requires a new leadership and this is why the Northern Elders Forum which I lead is in agreement that a new leader should emerge and that leader is Atiku Abubakar.”
Responding to government’s attacks following criticism of the administration, Abdullahi said, “It is unfair to accuse us of vested interested on issues that ought to be of concern to every Nigerian irrespective of tribe and religion. Nothing is farther from the truth that some of us are being frustrated because we have been denied of contracts or appointments.
“We are yet to receive a reply to a letter challenging the government to name any of our colleagues who have asked for contracts.
“Today, our focus is on free, fair and credible elections without which the image of the country will never rise above where we are today. Where we are today, for a country with our size in Africa, so endowed with the kind of resources we have, where we are today is because of crisis of leadership. This election is about serious changes in the kind of leadership we deserve.”
Edwin Clark, leader of the Pan-Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), “We have served in governments, so nobody should make the mistake of saying we are looking for jobs. We don’t belong to a political party but we met as elders and leaders of the three regions of the country because the country is at a crossroad.
“We want a leader not sick, but focused and has the respect of foreign leaders. We have been passing through crisis and the outside world is laughing at us. One man cannot change the constitution of Nigeria, the moment you can remove the chief justice of Nigeria (CJN) by fiat and gets the power to remove the Senate president, you become a dictator.“
John Nwodo, president-general of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, ”I am saddened by the current situation in the country”.
“Today’s Nigeria is not the one we used to know. The Nigeria we have today is not the Nigeria we desire. I grew up in a Nigeria where we use to love each other. Today, we have a head of state who has reminded us of our ethnic and religious differences and has put us into jeopardy.
“We have seen Katsina, Zamfara, Sokoto, Borno states crying that they have been overwhelmed by insecurity, seeking military intervention.
“This is the edge of precipice. These proclamation of governors followed the declaration by former chief of army staff, asking Nigerians to take up arms and defend themselves following the unrest in the middle belt.
“The very essence of government is to secure the country. The security of the country is in jeopardy. We have a constitutional deadlock in the country. Southern and middle belt have insisted on restructuring, APC committee recommended interesting initiatives but nothing from the president except to say we don’t have a problem of structure but process.”
Ayo Adebanjo of Afenifere, “I didn’t know that this government will become so tyrannical when we started this initiative. We are asking Nigerians to confirm the election of Abubakar. You’re not voting for him but you’re working for the interest of Nigeria. You must work doubly hard if you want the country’s unity. The evil tormenting us is devising new method to remain in power.
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