Northern leaders not terrorists –ACF (Then condemn Boko Haram)

Posted by admin Arewa House, Latest Politics Tuesday, November 22nd, 2011

The Northern socio-political organization, Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has said that Northern political leaders are neither terrorist nor have anything to do with terrorism despite the arrest of an ex-governor and a serving senator from the region for allegedly sponsoring Boko Haram.

Speaking to Daily Sun in a telephone chat, the Publicity Secretary of the forum, Anthony Sani said, “If one person is arrested in the South-west and in the South-east for terrorism, it does not make the entire Yoruba and Igbo people terrorists.”

Sani was reacting 24 hours after the arrest of a former governor and a serving senator for their involvement in the activities of Boko Haram.
ACF scribe’s reaction came on the heels of allegations made by the Special Adviser to the President on Ethics and Values, Sarah Jubril that some Northern leaders were backing the Boko Haram group.
“We do not believe Madam Sarah Jubril can make such allegations precisely because, Northern leaders are neither terrorist nor do they have something to gain from sponsoring terrorism of any kind or any form of violence for that matter.”

“But if she has any evidence in support of her allegations, she should summon her patriotic courage and avail same to the government which she is a part.
Issues of security are serious matter of national importance and therefore of concern to everybody.
Consequently, those who are in government with clear responsibility to secure lives and property of the people are not at liberty to play politics with it,” Sani said.

Meanwhile, Arewa Youth Consultative Forum, (AYCF) said, government should include them in the activities going on in the Niger-delta where some Ex- militants are undergoing skill acquisition training in different parts of the world.
In a press statement, the AYCF national President, Gambo Gunjugu however, appreciated the effort of the present administration in the ongoing exercise but said; Nigerian youths need not become militants to be given the desired attention.

“Consequently, we are of the opinion that having impacted positively on the youths of the Niger-delta and reduced the crime rate and militancy, it should also be extended to other youths that are not militants both in the Niger-delta and other parts of the country.
“If the Federal or State Governments wait until youths become violent before they give them the desired recognition and training, it will not be good enough.
That is why AYCF believes that spreading the Niger-delta styled skill acquisition to other geo-political zones, most especially the North where insecurity is on the increase now will go a long way in arresting the rising wave of crime,” the statement said.

-Sunwp_posts