Northern elders warn against inciting comments!

The Northern Elders Council on Wednesday warned politicians against making inflammatory political statements.

President Goodluck Jonathan in a hand shake with some Northern elders

It said that such comments were capable of plunging the nation into chaos and that Nigeria’s unity should be paramount in the minds of all.

Chairman of the Council, Alhaji Tanko Yakasai, at a media briefing in Abuja, said some people in the north had been threatening fire and brimstone as 2015 presidential election draws nearer.

Yakassai said the people making offensive statements were not representing the interest of the north and that it was wrong for anyone or group, no matter his grouse or its grievances, to heat up the polity with intent to destroy the country.

He said, “The security challenges in Boko Haram and other ethno-religious crisis in the North as well as violent crimes of kidnapping and armed robberies in other parts of the country pose a serious challenge to the nation, including wide spread poverty and unemployment.

“In an effort to find lasting solution to this national malaise, there have arisen mutual distrust and suspicions leading to utterances by some people capable of affecting the standing, respectability and unity of the North in particular and the country in general.

“The founding fathers of our nation manifested tact, wisdom, courage and moderation in their conduct of public affairs. They had tackled major challenges without inflammatory and inciting statements with wisdom and maturity.”

Yakasai said there was no way people could be leaders and elders when they promote hate, incitement, intolerance and violence in the country.

He added, “Our collective responsibility is to continue to build a united and prosperous nation. That is why it is necessary for all men of honour and goodwill to reject anybody purportedly speaking for and on our behalf, who makes inciting, divisive and provocative statements capable of undermining our national unity and democracy.

“We are also concerned that some politicians are making subterranean moves to drag our revered traditional rulers into political controversy. We would like to sound a word of caution against such acts.”

Source: PUNCH