A group, the Core Northern Professionals Forum, has advised the Northern Elders Forum (NEF) to stop its unwarranted opposition against the administration of President Bola Tinubu.
The Forum also advised a former member of the National Assembly, Senator Kabir Marafa, to appreciate the changes brought about by the administration and stop engaging in retrogressive politics.
The advice is contained in a statement issued by Mikailu Kabir-Arabi, President General of the Forum, on Tuesday in Abuja.
The Forum was reacting to comments credited to the NEF and Marafa over the performance of the Tinubu administration.
It said that the NEF should show maturity expected of elders and join hands with the government to take the country to greatness.
The forum said those dreaming of whipping up sentiments to derail the administration would fail.
“For the avoidance of doubt, even if Tinubu should say let’s go for another election, the North will certainly and overwhelmingly vote for him, with or without NEF support,” it stated.
The forum further said what the region needed are people of integrity who will put the interest of the region and Nigeria above all other considerations.
“If anyone wants progress to the north, let them join hands with the government by giving useful workable solutions to our predicaments.
“So that we will know we have elders who did not depart from what and how our founding fathers wished the North, the northerners and the early beneficiaries now turned elders, to be,” it added.
According to the forum, politicians like Marafa should learn to understand that politics is dynamic and has since moved from what it used to be in past.
It said Marafa’s attempt to disparage the administration was sheer act of mischief and an effort to seek relevance and project his obscured profile.
It urged the Minister of State for Defence, Dr Bello Matawalle, who had earlier responded to the comments of the NEF, to ignore such groups and individuals and concentrate on finding solutions to the security challenges in the country.
“We wish to encourage the Minister to be steadfast in running his office especially in the fight against insecurity.
“It will be a serious waste of time and setback for Matawalle as Minister to join issues with the likes of Marafa at a time he needs to concentrate on meeting the yearnings of Nigerians.
“To see the end of insecurity, especially banditry and kidnapping, which have continued to be on the front burner of the Tinubu led administration and being appreciated by the larger Nigerians.”
The forum said Matawalle’s exceptional experience in the fight against criminal elements and their activities “is strongly helping the Tinubu government”.
“As Nigerians, we will continue to support the administration until peace is achieved,” it added.
