The presidency, on Tuesday, knocked the Northern Elders Forum (NEF) for what it called “delusional arrogance” over its call for some sections of the country to secede.
The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, in a statement said the presidency insisted that only democratically elected leaders can take decisions that steer the nation, and no one else.
The statement was titled “Statement on the call by ‘Northern Elders Forum’ asking a section of the country to leave the federation.”
It read in part, “We are aware of the latest statement from the so-called ‘Northern Elders Forum.’
“We wish to reassure Nigerians that it remains their democratically elected leadership which takes the decisions that steer our nation–and no one else.
“No self-appointed and unelected group can take this right from Nigerians – no matter how much coverage they might enjoy in the media. Nigerians listen to elected leaders, not opinionated tin-gods who have no traction with any responsible group.
“It is a delusional arrogance that would lead such a group to publicly state terms and conditions for the existence of our nation.
“Who gave them the right to ask for the exclusion, or expulsion of any one, group or section of the country from the Federal Republic of Nigeria?”
Meanwhile, the NEF has refuted a statement by the Presidency that it ordered a section of Nigeria to leave the country.
NEF spokesman, Dr. Hakeem Baba-Ahmed said, “Northern Elders Forum did not release any such statement and the Presidency did not quote it or attribute it to a signatory.
“It would appear that the Presidency is falling or is playing into some mischief. Northern Elders Forum believes in the desirability and utility of a united Nigeria. It has neither the right nor the wish to see any part of Nigeria lost,” he stressed.
