The Progressives Governors’ Forum (PGF), a group that rose out of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has condemned what it called, the resurgence of desperate youth groups promoting ethno-regional identities and extremist positions from the different geo-political zones across the nation.
In a statement by the Director General, Salihu Mohammed Lukman, the group stressed the need to quickly put an end to the threat to the national unity as being promoted by such youth groups across the country.
PGF, which described itself as promoting an all-inclusive government, for the development of policies and programs that improve the life of every Nigerian citizen, regardless of ethnicity and religious orientation, said it is not comfortable with the present secessionist and separatist agitations promoting ethno-regional identity in the country.
It said that the sundry factional groups, claiming to represent different ethnic nationalities, are now sowing the seeds of disunity and promoting secessionist agenda in the nation.
“We decry and reject their activities in all intents and purposes. Acknowledging the rich diverse heritage of Nigeria as a country, the PGF particularly notes that the resurgence of desperate youth groups promoting ethno-regional identities and extremist positions from the different geo-political zones across the nation as currently experienced is a reflection of prevalent weak governance, economy and law enforcement system in Nigeria.”
The Forum stressed that the challenge before Nigerians today is to commit themselves to the unity of the country.
“We must create by all means necessary, a country that we can collectively call our home, irrespective of tongues and localities. This is a vision the APC as a party is committed to lead and for which the PGF is unapologetically and intrinsically loyal.These threats to national unity must cease totally and put away into history.
“While acknowledging that as a nation, we do have challenges, PGF believe that the resolution of those challenges rest with the development of our democracy and with it, the ascendency of structured processes of national consultations, negotiations and invariably agreements.
“Some of the challenges are highlighted in the accompanied PGF Position – There has to be a Nation First. As Governors elected under APC, we will work with our party leaders, the Federal Government and all Nigerians who are committed to democratic development all parts of the country to ensure unencumbered protection of lives of all citizens in every part of the territorial boundary of our nation.
“PGF therefore call for the rise of all Decent Voices across this country to speak up against the upsurge of some desperate irredentist movements across all ethnic groups and support the emergence of a stronger and virile unified Nigeria for us all.”
The Forum insisted that, regardless of the diverse identities of Nigeria, and under whatever differences, Nigeria would have to thrive, adding: “there has to be a nation first.” [myad]
