The Arewa Youth Forum (AYF) held an emergency meeting in Kaduna today (22nd March 2013) where the forum extensively discussed the State of the Nation and as well the ongoing challenges and possible crises of extinction threatening Northern Nigeria.
We have been following with utter dismay and despair how President Goodluck Jonathan’s led Federal Government has been playing politics and exhibiting such sophistry and a high sense of insensitivity in handling the Boko Haram insurgency and further compounding the series of challenges confronting Northern Nigeria.
As at today, our economy is gone; the aged-long togetherness of Northern Christians and Muslims is totally gone. There is also no political cohesion in the North. And there is no sign that this ugly trend can be contained, if the Federal Government continues its flagrant display of insensitivity and nonchalance then, we will be threading the path of fire and bloodshed. It is based on all these concerns that Arewa Youth Forum resolves as follows:
That the 19 Northern State Governors, should as a matter of preserving the Northern Nigerian region from extinction and attaining a Failed State status, grant AMNESTY to the Boko Haram sect and all other groups responsible for the restiveness in Northern Nigeria. This is important, all Northern Governors, members of National and State Assemblies must rise, roll their sleeves because if the situation persists, there may not be a Northern Nigerian region again as a political and geographical entity in the larger Sovereign State of Nigeria.
The politicisation of the Boko Haram issue has done more damage than good to the reality of the situation. In view of the fact that despite all the brouhaha, the solution has not been found owing to the deliberate politicisation by governments, religious organisations, elite, security agencies and all parties involved. It is clear that all parties involved in this matter are not sincere, hence we beseech all parties to fear God and separate ego and face reality, going by the excruciating situation ordinary Northerners are going through.
Finally, the Northern Governors should bear in mind that posterity will hold them accountable if they fail to act fast, being the sub-heads of the region. It must be sincere, honest and without recourse to religious differences, rather act fast and save the best for the last.
Gambo Ibrahim Gujungu
National President, Arewa Youths Forum
