The Northwest Youths Progressives Forum (N-WYPF) has chided the Katsina Elders Forum, asking President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to reverse his administration’s decisions on the relocation of Central Bank of Nigeria offices or risk the support of the North in the 2027 general election.
Coordinator of the group, Alhaji Murtala Aliyu Ka’oje, at a press briefing in Sokoto, said the group is in total support of the statement credited to state Minister of State for Defence, Hon. Bello Mutawalle who counseled the Katsina elders to sheath their swords.
“We want to commend the Minister of State for Defence, Hon. Bello Mutawalle, for his statement telling the Katsina Elders the home truth. We are solidly behind him on his corrections over their comments because he spoke our minds.
“What President Ahmed Bola Tinubu did is right, given the fact that these agencies and department will better operate in their new abode,” the group stated.
According to him, the Katsina Elders have no moral justification to challenge any decision taken by the current administration, taking cognizant of the fact they have failed in the past to challenge former President Muhammadu Buhari- led government’s impunity and loopholes.
Ka’oje recalled that despite the wanton destruction of lives, properties and economy of the North, no northern elder from Katsina stood up to speak against those policies taken by the previous government that adversely affected the North and northerners.
“Why was it that the level of poverty, insecurity and political intimidation experienced under former President Muhammadu Buhari’s leadership were not challenged by the same Katsina elders group?
“Another question is when did the Katsina Elders become critics of the federal government policies?
“More people lost their lives and valuable properties, farming activities were disrupted and all sectors of human endeavors almost collapsed due to insecurity and poor handling of governance by the past administration of President Buhari, yet the Elders Forum has never challenged the former President to adjust or buckle up.” Ka’oje queried.
Continuing, the group said, “They (Katsina Elders) ought to have advised Mr. President to convene a national summit on issues that affect security, economic development and political stability of the country, rather than showing their biased thoughts against the government of Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“We believe that the Federal Government under President Tinubu from all indications, is competent and committing a lot of energy and resources to fight against banditry activities within the northern communities through both kinetic and non-kinetic approach.
“Therefore, we supported the reactions of Minister of State on Defense, Bello Muhammad Matawalle asking the Katsina Elders and other pressure groups to work for national cohesion and stop creating political tension through unguided and unpatriotic statements against the present administration of Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“We commend the laudable efforts of the Minister of State for Defence, Hon Bello Mohammed Matawalle over his genuine commitment and proactive measures toward ensuring the success of fight against insecurity in the Northwest region, and Nigeria.”
