A coalition of statesmen in Nigeria under the aegis of National Christian Elders Forum (NCEF) on Thursday added a fresh twist to the security challenges in Nigeria, saying foreign invaders masquerading as religious extremists are responsible for the spate of killings and blooshed.
The organisation said indigenous ethnic nationalities have the same enemy in the foreign invaders who kill and maim,l indigenous Christians, Muslims and traditionalists.
NCEF also told President Bola Tinubu to implement the report of the 2014 National Conference without any further delay, while there should be an immediate ban on nomadic cattle rearing and abolishment of RUGA project.
The Chairman of NCEF and former Deputy Governor of Taraba State, Dr. Samuel Gani and Secretary, Pastor Bosun Emmanuel, who stated these during a press conference, called on the indigenous ethnic nationalities to come together to renegotiate Nigeria.
Apart from Gani and Emmanuel, other members of NCEF are Dr. Saleh Hussaini, Vice Chairman (North); Elder Shyngle Wigwe, Vice Chairman (South); Mrs. Osaretin Demuren, Hon. Treasurer; Prof. Joseph Otubu, Dr. (Mrs)
Kate Okparaeke, Dr. Ayo Abifarin, Gen. Zamani Lekwot (rtd), Hon. Justice James Ogebe, JSC (rtd); Elder
Moses Ihonde, Hon. Justice Kalajine Anigbogu (rtd), Elder Nat Okoro, Mr. Solomon Asemota (SAN) and Elder
Matthew Owojaiye.
Others are DIG P. L. Dabup, Sir John W. Bagu, late Dr. Chukwuemeka Ezeife, Dame Priscilla Kuye, Prof.
(Mrs) Deborah Enilo Ajakaiye, HRM Oba Dokun Thompson, Dr. Taiwo Idemudia (Diaspora), Elder Minso
Gadzama, Apostle Bulus Musa Kewa, Admiral Peter Adeniyi (Rtd), Hon. Justice Goddy Anunihu (Rtd) and Chief Sir Ferdinand Anikwe.
NCEF wondered why the present administration have not dismantled terrorists, even though the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari failed to act.
The Forum also distanced itself from claims by the Northern Elders Forum (NEF) which rated the administration of President Bola Tinubu as a failure and regretted voting him in the 2023 elections.
According to Gani, the perennial amendment of the 1999 constitution by the National Assembly should cease, adding that the legislators should start work on a new constitution for Nigeria.
He insisted that the ongoing killings in the country were not motivated by the indigenous ethnic nationalities, adding that with the problem facing Nigeria, it is evident that the country is facing an organized invasion by foreign forces masquerading as religious extremists.
Gani said,, “The purpose of this press conference is to awaken Nigerians to the
reality of foreign invasion against the country. Nigeria is facing racial
displacement invasion. It is this foreign invasion that is responsible for
the insecurity in Nigeria and compromise of the delicate political balance
in the country.
“In Plateau and Kaduna states, data exists that hundreds of villages of the ethnic nationalities have been taken over by foreign Fulanis. The owners of the land have been driven into IDP camps while the names of the villages have been changed to Fulani names. In Plateau state, over 102 villages were reportedly taken over by Fulani invaders while in Kaduna state, over 109 villages have been dislodged.
“The recent visit of Hamas terrorists to Nigeria, bearing in mind that
Hamas is not the government of Palestine, neither does it represent the
Palestinian people in any legislative capacity, also raises concern about
government’s commitment to fighting terrorism.
“Even if the Buhari administration failed to act, what stopped the Tinubu
administration from dismantling the camps of the terrorists? NCEF is calling on the indigenous Muslims in Nigeria to calmly examine these issues and take positions that will be in the long-term best interest of their ethnic groups. What is going on is more than religion.
“That enemy is a foreign invader. The killings going on in Nigeria were not motivated by the indigenous ethnic nationalities. Unfortunately, some of the local actors were manipulated into thinking they were pursuing a religious agenda, but the puppet masters have no religious goal in view.
“There should be an immediate ban on nomadic cattle rearing. Cattle owners should be compelled to set up ranches at their own expense as business entrepreneurs. It should not be the
responsibility of the government to fund one enterprise at the expense of other businesses in the country. After all, when the cattle are sold, the proceeds are not handed over to the government.
“The RUGA project should be abolished. In the first instance, the Federal Government has no statutory right to allocate land in Nigeria under the Land Use Act. This is the responsibility of the
States. Any business investor that requires land should apply for
land like other citizens. Preferential treatment should not be
accorded any group in Nigeria.
“The ethnic nationalities should assert their right and ownership.over their ancestral land and assert the dominion of their thrones
in Nigeria. The ethnic socio-cultural groups such as Afenifere, Ohaneze
Ndigbo, Arewa Consultative Group, Middle Belt Forum, and
PANDEF should consider these issues in greater detail. Nigerians
have no problem with each other. It is external forces that are seeking to tear the country apart for hostile takeover of the land and its resources. The demand for devolution of power should be
intensified by the ethnic nationalities.”
NCEF alao reiterated its earlier recommendation that President
Tinubu should appoint a Special Investigator to conduct a
Commission of Inquiry into the causes, as well as expose the actors,
in the various acts of terrorism and religious insurgency that
overwhelmed Nigeria since 2009.
Apart from Gani and Emmanuel, other members of NCEF are Dr. Saleh Hussaini, Vice Chairman (North); Elder Shyngle Wigwe, Vice Chairman (South); Mrs. Osaretin Demuren, Hon. Treasurer; Prof. Joseph Otubu, Dr. (Mrs)
Kate Okparaeke, Dr. Ayo Abifarin, Gen. Zamani Lekwot (rtd), Hon. Justice James Ogebe, JSC (rtd); Elder
Moses Ihonde, Hon. Justice Kalajine Anigbogu (rtd), Elder Nat Okoro, Mr. Solomon Asemota (SAN) and Elder
Matthew Owojaiye.
Others are DIG P. L. Dabup, Sir John W. Bagu, late Dr. Chukwuemeka Ezeife, Dame Priscilla Kuye, Prof.
(Mrs) Deborah Enilo Ajakaiye, HRM Oba Dokun Thompson, Dr. Taiwo Idemudia (Diaspora), Elder Minso
Gadzama, Apostle Bulus Musa Kewa, Admiral Peter Adeniyi (Rtd), Hon. Justice Goddy Anunihu (Rtd) and Chief Sir Ferdinand Anikwe.
Friday Olokor, Abuja
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