By; JACOB ONJEWU DICKSON
The Northern Emancipation Network (NEN) has responded to remarks made by President Bola Tinubu’s former spokesman in the South-East, Dr. Josef Onoh challenging the Arewa Youth Consultative Forum’s (AYCF) opposition to government’s plan to move key departments of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) to Lagos from Abuja.
Onoh, in his statement, asked the President of AYCF, Alhaji Yerima Shettima, to concentrate on how the Northern parts of Nigeria could be rid of the pervasive insecurity ravaging the region, rather than meddling in government policies and adjustments.
Responding, Suleiman Abbah, the Chairman of the Northern Emancipation Network described Onoh’s comments as misplaced, self-serving, and lacking in depth of the complexities of conflict resolution.
Abbah said that by suggesting that a non-governmental organization should tackle security challenges that are the prerogative of the government, Onoh has inadvertently exposed his ignorance of security operations.
“In every security situation, it is the government that is the first responder, and not the civil society as misconstrued by Onoh.
“To suggest that the AYCF should confront the insecurity in the North is Onoh’s backdoor way of saying the federal government is failing in the vital area of providing security of lives and properties,” Abba said.
He described Onoh as one of those political opportunists who have no other useful vocation other than attacking northerners under the slightest of pretexts.
The NEN firmly believes that it is the government’s responsibility to ensure the safety and security of its citizens, and that civil society organizations such as AYCF can only serve complImentary support in achieving this objective. Abbah emphasized that the AYCF and other northern groups are fully committed to working with the government in finding lasting solutions to the security challenges facing the northern region.
“We call on Dr. Josef Onoh and others like him to educate themselves on the intricacies of conflict resolution and the roles of different stakeholders. Attacking northerners and criticizing their efforts to address the prevailing injustices, unfairness and Inequality that potentially affect the unity of the nation is not only counter productive but also a disservice to the nation as a whole,” Abbah added.
He urged the AYCF not to be distracted but to remain dedicated to its mission of promoting peace, unity, and development in Nigeria, particularly in the northern region and to continue to engage with relevant stakeholders, including the government, to address the pressing issues facing the country.
