Leaders of the Coalition of Northern Groups say there is a grand plot to divide the North ahead of next year’s general election.
This is contained in a communique signed by its spokesman, Abul-Azeez Suleiman.
The coalition met in Kano on Thursday to discuss the 2019 election, growing insecurity in the region, pervading poverty, unemployment, vices and drug-related crimes among others.
The groups said they observed that there were some elements within that were driving those unrests in the North, and fueling tension aimed at thwarting the type of unity and oneness of purpose shown by northerners during the 2015 elections.
Continuing they said, “It was observed also that the unrests are being instigavted by powerful external forces in order to achieve certain hidden objectives aimed at bringing about the ultimate breakup of the North.
“The meeting also noted with the utmost concern, the various attempts now being made to exploit cleavages of religious and ethnic nature to cause disharmony and distrust across the region.
“It was observed that the federal government is also partly responsible for the escalation of the conflicts by not taking decisive actions and allowing the matter in the hands of state Governors who are clearly pursuing there personal set of biases.
“The meeting noted with dismay the flooding of all types of weapons including very sophisticated small arms and light weapons, into the North, and the apparent determination by the agents of destruction to continue to ply their deadly trade regardless of its consequences.
“The meeting was also concerned and extremely worried by the reported existence of various armed militias in Nigeria especially those allegedly organized and supported by some State Governors.
“The meeting also recognized the dangers posed to the larger Nigerian society and the North most especially, by the proliferation of drugs and narcotics and other dangerous substances that have created a culture of drug and substance abuse in our communities.
“It was also observed that the confusion in the North is a result of the ploys of a handful of people who have enjoyed the magnanimity of the region in the past and now want to destroy it.”
The coalition, however, resolved that there had to be concerted efforts to collectively wake the northern youth on the inherent dangers of ready tools in the hands of politicians who won’t mind feasting on blood in their quest for political ascendancy.
“That a powerful steering committee would be set up to design a framework for a region wide campaign to alert the youth on the need to resist the manipulation of these identified bloodthirsty politicians whose children and relations are always not on the streets when the fire they ignite takes a toll.
“That a legal and political think tank would be put together to design ways for the sponsorship of private bills in the National and various state assemblies for outlawing all forms of hard drug and harmful substances trade and promotion.
“That the North shall endeavour never to be broken up and all its inhabitants will remain resolute in protecting their legacy and inherited responsibility towards one another and to the rest of the country.
“That the exact dimension, extent and boundaries of the North are well known and nothing will change these no matter what efforts are made to bring this about. Northerners are all one and no artificial distinctions will be allowed to shake and undermine their unity and cohesiveness.
“That the North’s problems can be solved by Northerners themselves without any interference by mischief makers from outside,” it said.
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