Tobias Sylvester 
Northern Elders Forum (NEF) says it warned Nigerians that President Muhammadu Buhari has nothing to offer to them, adding that the President has totally failed to tackle insecurity and improve the economy of the country.
A statement by NEF Chairman, Ango Abdullahi, on Sunday, February 9, 2020, said it appears Buhari does not have any idea on what will provide relief or solution to insecurity and poverty in the land.
Describing Buhari as a failure, Northern Elders lamented that poverty, particularly in the north, and massive social security have worsened under this administration.
The statement stated categorically that NEF had before the 2019 elections, warned Nigerians that Buhari lacked the will, competence and commitment to lead the country into a secure and prosperous future.
Speaking on the 2023 Presidential election, the Forum said the north will only support candidate who can find solutions to problems bedevilling the region.
“Northern Elders Forum has refrained from comments on major developments relating to management of national security and governance because it is convinced that these are times which require the highest levels of responsibility and circumspection in the manner elders and leaders in the nation contribute to the search for solutions to the multiple problems which face the nation.
“It has become necessary and appropriate, however, to make public, the position of the Forum on important matters that affect the manner Nigerians live, and the future we must address.
“The Forum regrets that by any standard of judgement, the leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari has failed the nation in the vital area of improving its security. Poverty, particularly in the North, and massive social security have worsened under this administration. The relationship between insecurity and poverty is fundamental, but the administration does not appear to have any idea on what will provide relief or solution.
“It gives the Forum no pleasure to say that it had warned Nigerians that President Buhari lacked the will, the competence and commitment to lead it into a secure and prosperous future before the 2019 elections.
“It is shocking that in spite of unprecedented consensus among Nigerians that the administration requires a new resolve, approach and leadership in the fight against the nation’s multiple security challenges, President Buhari appears either totally isolated or in deep denial over the result of his failures to secure Nigerians.
“With this type of mind set, it is difficult to see how President Buhari can accept the challenge to radically improve his handling of our security situation.”
The Northern Elders added that by 2023, it would only support candidates that meet the standard and interests of the north.
”The north knows its interests, and will stand together to elect only persons who meet the standards and interests of the people of the North,” it said.
“No politician should assume that they are entitled to our support unless they show a clear understanding and a commitment to deal with our problems and meet our aspirations.”
The forum asked Nigerians to continue to raise their voices through all legitimate means to demand that the administration addresses major failings.
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