The Northern Elders Council has warned the Arewa Consultative Forum not to dabble into the partisan politics of the North. The NEC said the ACF was being manipulated by the Northern Elders Forum to escalate the political crisis between Governor Murtala Nyako and the Presidency.
The message was contained in a statement released by the NEC spokesman, ambassador Yusuf Mamman yesterday.
The statement reads: “The attention of the Northern Elders Council (NEC) is drawn to the news item jointly signed by the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) and the Northern Elders Forum (NEF) secretaries, Col. John Uba (retired) and Dr. Hakeem Baba-Ahmed on the current imbroglio between some northern governors and the Presidency. It is a matter of utmost regret that an organisation which is an umbrella organisation that serves as a pan-Northern platform will lend itself to the manipulation of the NEF, which is an organisation that has consistently, openly and manifestly advocated violence, threat and intimidation.
“It is on record that NEF harbours intemperate and bellicose, disposition, which has largely alienated it from a substantial segment of good and well meaning northerners.
“For the ACF to agree to submit a joint statement with the NEF is unfortunate and absolutely regrettable. The NEF has consistently sought to arrogate itself the right to speak and act in a very divisive, unpatriotic, unstatesmanly and partisan manner. This, we reject. It is unacceptable
“The integrity and credibility of the ACF will surely be tested if politically partisan groups are allowed to leverage on its goodwill to create chaos and promote their hate and selfish agenda.
“We appeal to the ACF leadership to remain non-partisan and an all inclusive Northern platform.”