TENSION AS BUHARI WARMS UP FOR ANOTHER FOUR YEARS

They told the president not to repeat the mistake of his current administration which they noted, did not consider the interest of some geopolitical zones for key appointments, especially in the security sector.

Speaking on behalf of the groups at a rally held at the Unity Fountain, Abuja, Thursday, Speaker, Arewa Youth Assembly, Mohammed Danlami, said “recent events in the nation signal a steady reversal of the expectations of the founding fathers of Nigeria that this shall be a country based upon the principle of liberal democracy in which citizens shall have freedom of choice and be treated equally.”

According to him, “What the nation requires is mature nationalistic leadership that will accommodate all Nigerians and provide an all-inclusive fair treatment for all the divergent groups in the country on the basis of equality and fairness to everybody.” Reading a prepared speech before newsmen at the event,Mr Danlami said:”

For Nigeria to survive, thrive and flourish in peace and unity, the nation must stand solidly upon the principles and practice of liberal democracy.” “Certain decisions and proposals that are on the table since 2015 require reconsideration in the overall best interest of the nation,”he insisted. The text read in full:”

It is with an unflinching yearning for national unity and a deep sense of fervid patriotism that the Arewa Youth Assembly alongside several renowned Civil Society Groups have converged here on the grounds of the Unity Fountain here in Abuja.

“In 1999 after many years of military rule, Nigeria returned to democracy, there was hope in the nation that liberty and freedom of choice that will ultimately translate into justice, equality and for all fairness shall certainly produce prosperity and strengthen the unity of the divergent groups within the nation.

“Unfortunately, recent events in the nation signal a steady reversal of the expectations of the founding fathers of Nigeria that this shall be a country based upon the principle of liberal democracy in which citizens shall have freedom of choice and be treated equally.” There are worrisome signals that Nigeria is sliding dangerously down the destructive slope of injustice, oppression, discrimination and disregard for other region.

“Without a doubt, there is no greater time than this for the clarion call of national unity and thorough integration to be emphasized upon by all true patriots than now.”

We are no strangers to the inescapable fact that a number of fiendish anti-national elements have cashed in on several factors to sow seeds of discord and disunity all in a bid to attain some political points and this at the detriment of our collective as a nation. “We are all conversant with the sporadic accusations and tirades thrown at President Muhammadu Buhari over appointments made during this first tenure.”

It should be noted that the purveyors of these accusations did not mean well for Nigeria as a whole neither did they seek to protect the interest of the regions they claimed to be agitating for. The resultant effect was just bad publicity for Mr. President and continued acrimony among brothers from diverse parts of the country.

“Enemies of our collective progress thus easily folded their arms and watched while their negative grand plan prevailed. “What the nation requires is mature nationalistic leadership that will accommodate all Nigerians and provide an all-inclusive fair treatment for all the divergent groups in the country on the basis of equality and fairness to everybody.”

This need for equality and fairness is underscored in our old National Anthem which states “though tribe and tongue may differ in brotherhood we stand” the prayer in the last verse sums up the yearning of the founding fathers of the nation, “O God of all creation, grant this our request. Help us to build nation where no one is oppressed”.

“For Nigeria to survive, thrive and flourish in peace and unity, the nation must stand solidly upon the principles and practice of liberal democracy.