ACF Says Obasanjo Is  A Trouble Maker, Lacks Moral Rights To Attack  Buhari

Former President Obasanjo had recently in an open letter to President
Buhari raised serious concerns on issues mostly bordering on insecurity,
among others in the country.

But reacting to Obasanjo’s letter, ACF noted that while the former
President has unfettered access to President Buhari, the letter was not
driven by patriotism but by self-aggrandizement

ACF’s statement signed by Mohammed Ibrahim Biu reads:

“Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) is constrained to comment on the letter
dated 15th July 2019 by the former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo
addressed to President Muhammadu Buhari on issues he claimed are “very
weighty and must be greatly worrisome to all concerned Nigerians” hence
the reason he made it open.

“ACF appreciates the freedom of expression and the right to hold opinion
on all issues as guaranteed in our constitution by individuals or
groups, as long as it’s within the confines of the law.

“The Forum therefore believed that Chief Obasanjo used this privilege to
raised the issues which mostly borders on insecurity in his latest
letter, it must however be noted that the issues are not new to
Nigerians as he had raised them in his previous open letters to the
President, so also other Nigerians in different fora.

“All the same, in exercising our right to comment on the letter, it is
our candid opinion that Chief Obasanjo being a former President and an
elder statesman who has unfettered access to the President should use a
better and most civilized way of communicating his views to a sitting
president rather than going public to create unnecessary scene and try
to bring down the roof. It is true that Chief Obasanjo has become
relentless in his self-appointed task of a Cassandra-in- chief for
Nigeria, always proclaiming doomsday, predicting upheaval and bloodbath,
which to say the least has diminished his acclaimed status as a patriot
and nationalist.

“As far as the ACF and indeed the North is concerned, Chief Obasanjo
lacks the moral standing to make any damning statements against any
government considering his antecedents while at the helm of affairs as
President. His statements and comments on national issues are neither
driven by altruism nor by patriotism, but sheer self-aggrandizement.

“What, we must ask, motivates Chief Obasanjo’s current divisive
activities? His recent outburst on ‘Islamization’, Fulanization’, and
‘Northernization’ are clearly calculated at causing division and
acrimony along religious, ethnic and regional lines which is most
unfortunate.

“The former President knows more than any other Nigerian that there is
no such thing as Islamization or Fulanization in the North’s agenda.
Enemies of the North chose to propagate such negative narratives only
with the view to causing disharmony among undiscerning Nigerians.
Unfortunately, many, including the highly educated and politically
sophisticated elites have unwittingly fallen into the trap of believing
in Obasanjo and his ilk.

“The Forum notes with sadness how the negative stereotype associated
with the issue of “Fulani herdsmen” is gradually degenerating into a
national crisis. We find the assertion that every crime committed in,
especially the southern part of the country, as being committed by
Fulani herdsmen, irresponsible and deliberately aimed at achieving some
certain diabolical objectives.

“The narration that every criminal, armed robbers and kidnappers are
Fulani herdsmen because a Fulani man is at helm of affairs is a
dangerous precedent which has to stop. Criminals must be regarded as
criminals without giving them any ethnic, religious or regional
coloration.

“ACF therefore calls on groups and individuals who engage in such
narratives to rise above such pettiness.

“We must realize that insurgency, banditry, kidnappings and armed
robbery are our common enemies. We must join hands in finding a lasting
solution to the menace.

“There is no gain saying the fact that the country is currently facing
dire security challenges with its consequences, however, we must quickly
add that the challenges are as a result of cumulative failures of past
administrations.

“ACF notes the efforts of military, police and other security agencies
in curtailing the menace of insecurity, however, it urges the government
to be more decisive in dealing with these security challenges, more so
that unpatriotic forces are taking advantage of the situation to forge
ahead their evil agenda of destabilizing the country. The president,
more than ever before, should rejig the nation’s security apparatus for
effective performance.

“Furthermore, the Forum appeals to the Federal Government to employ both
security and political solutions to the various challenges facing the
nation.

“Finally, ACF wishes to reiterate its belief in the unity and
invisibility of Nigeria. Our diversity in cultures, religions and tribes
should be positively harnessed for the common good of all.”

Muhammad Ibrahim Biu,
National Publicity Secretary.