*say it is inhuman
By; ALEX UANGBAOJE, Kaduna
Arewa Youth Forum, (AYF), the umbrella organization of all youths in the North, has lambasted President Muhammadu Buhari for his alleged plans to seek re-election in 2019, in the face of hardship and killings across the country.
The youth after a cursory look at the the polity and events of the recent past decided to react to some of the issues in the nation with a view to putting their imprint and thoughts on national discuss.
The group in statement signed by its National President, Gambo Ibrahim Gujungu, said, “Arewa Youth Forum, is worried about the mindless killings all over the country especially those in Benue, Kaduna, Kwara and Rivers, also that these carnage is taking place in the new year. Our thoughts are with those affected.
“We are even more amazed this is coming shortly after the extension of the tenure of the service chiefs, as such it calls for serious concerns. Is this the good work that the President extended their tenure for? It is time to for them to justify their continuous stay in office or give way to those that can bring out a security architecture that can protect Nigerians.”
The statement added, “We are also worried that Nigerians had to go through the Yuletide with agony and pains because of the fuel scarcity which still persists into the New Year with the Federal Government not having a definite Roadmap to ending the malaise.
“This scenario was also compounded by the prevailing hardship Nigerians have been going through because of the actions and inactions of politicians and the elite who we believed have not done enough to assuage the plight of the ordinary Nigerians.
“If you add these challenges to the corruption allegations that had plagued some top high ranking officers of this administration, the inability of Mr. President to address same leaves a sour taste in the mouth of many Nigerians.”
According to the statement, “we are appalled to hear that in the midst of all these the president and his men have already put in place measures to kick start his re – election bid for 2019.
“As the apex body of youth in the 19 Northern states and Abuja with affiliates across the country, we see the re election bid of Mr. President at this point in time inhuman, uncalled for and an insult to the sensibilities of the suffering Nigerian masses.”
They expressed surprise that, despite the magnitude of the killing, the president did not see any good reason to visit some of the states and that even when he came to Kaduna, he refused to condole with the people not even a mention of it in his speech.
“It was disheartening that when the President visited Kaduna State, black marketers were having a field day as many of the stations where closed and the people where buying fuel at over 350/liter. This we believe is not good enough.
“Nigerians expect a more purposeful leadership from the champion of change than this anarchy in the land and the time to act is now Mr. President.” the statement said.