The Presidency is not happy with the call by those who tagged themselves Northern Elders Forum, on a section of Nigeria to leave the Federation
The Presidency reassured Nigerians that the present government of President Muhammadu Buhari remains the democratically elected leadership that is responsible for taking decisions that steer the nation, “and no one else.”
According to a statement today by the senior special assistant to the President on media and publicity, Malam Garba Shehu, 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?
“The Nigerian government does not take guidance nor invitations from such groups – only from the Nigerian people who put governments in office.
“Any group can refer to themselves as “leaders”, but in Nigeria, if you have not been elected by Nigerians to a leadership role, then you are not – and the government certainly doesn’t recognise you as such.
“Like many other countries around the world, Nigeria is feeling the strain of the current period of volatility and uncertainty. Now is not the time to seek to exacerbate divisions amongst Nigerians. Rather, we call on all Nigerians to come together and work to overcome the challenges we face as one nation, one people.”
