The Presidency says the Northern Elders Forum has no power to decide the fate of Nigeria.
It stated this while reacting to the forum’s call for the country’s separation.
In a statement, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu said only the democratically elected leader of the country has the right to make pronouncements on what steers the nation.
He said; “We are aware of the latest statement from the so-called “Northern Elders Forum.
“We wish to reassure Nigerians that it remains their democratically elected leadership that takes such decisions and no one else.
“No self-appointed and unelected group can take this right from Nigerians, no matter how much coverage they might enjoy in the media. Nigerians listen to elected leaders, not opinionated tin-gods who have no traction with any responsible group.
“It is a delusional arrogance that would lead such a group to publicly state terms and conditions for the existence of our nation.
The Presidential Spokesperson noted that the group has no authority whatsoever, to call for exclusion or inclusion of any part of the country.
“Who gave them the right to ask for the exclusion or expulsion of any one, group or section of the country from the Federal Republic of Nigeria?
“The Nigerian government does not take guidance nor invitations from such groups, only from the Nigerian people who put governments in office.
“Any group can refer to themselves as “leaders”, but in Nigeria, if you have not been elected by Nigerians to a leadership role, then you are not and the government certainly doesn’t recognise you as such,” he explained.
Shehu said; “Like many other countries around the world, Nigeria is feeling the strain of the current period of volatility and uncertainty. Now is not the time to seek to exacerbate divisions amongst Nigerians. Rather, we call on all Nigerians to come together and work to overcome the challenges we face as one nation, one people.”
VON