2023: Fireworks, Realignment Begin as South Tackles North over Insecurity, Alleged Nepotism
- Southern groups have lamented that nepotism in recruitment into public offices is championed by the north
- The bodies like Ohanaeze Ndigbo and the Yoruba Council of Elders have also alleged that the federal government is not listening to the cries of the region
- The groups further noted that if this continues till 2023, things will get worse in the country
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Claims by the Arewa Consultative Forum that northerners are being attacked in the south have attracted a lot of heated reactions from some prominent socio-cultural groups
Among organisations that have debunked allegations by the ACF that citizens of northern origin are being constantly victimised are the Yoruba Council of Elders, the Ijaw Youths Congress, and the Ohanaeze Ndigbo.
Source: Facebook
These and other claims were made on Wednesday, April 7, by a leader of the Northern Elders Forum, Professor Ango Abdullahi.
However, replying Abdullahi, the YCE through its secretary-general, Kunle Olajide, alleged that the current administration handled by the north has remained insensitive to the predicaments of the south.
Olajide, in a chat with The Punch, noted that although not all northerners are bad, the lopsided appointment and nepotistic tendencies in the federal government are polarising the nation more.
He noted:
"... this administration is insensitive to the federal character clause in the constitution and has no regard at all for other parts of Nigeria in his appointments. Because of that, the country cannot move forward and this is the result of the 1999 constitution.”
Dismissing the professor's claims, Ohanaeze opined that ahead of the 2023 general elections, competence must be placed above ethnic sentiments if Nigeria is to move forward.
Putting this in precise perspective, the Ohanaeze spokesman, Chief Alex Ogbonnia, noted:
“If the recruitment process is based on competence and record of accomplishment Nigeria will move well. But as long as we give priority to ethnic, and religious sentiment what you hear and see in Nigeria will continue."
Earlier, Abdullahi had declared that the north would not vote along ethnicity and faith lines while choosing leaders in 2023.
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Legit.ng gathered that Abdullahi stated no northerner should assume he is guaranteed the support and votes of northerners simply because he is one of them.
Source: Legit.ng
