The Northern Elders Forum (NEF) sharply rebuked elder statesman and Afenifere leader Chief Ayo Adebanjo on Thursday, urging him to act responsibly. The organization condemned his comments made while campaigning for Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi as “irresponsible, condemnable and inflammatory.”
In a statement released by the Forum’s Director of Publicity and Advocacy, Dr. Hakeem Baba‑Ahmed, the NEF noted that anyone with influence over Adebanjo should remind him to respect his age and the privileges he enjoys as a Nigerian. The statement explained that the Forum had reviewed the preparations for the forthcoming elections, especially in light of recent developments and its planned Northern General Assembly.
The Forum took particular note of Chief Adebanjo’s remarks, made during his usual rantings while supporting Mr Peter Obi. He warned that if Nigerians did not elect Obi, it would be “the end of Nigeria.” The NEF described this as “the worst thing that can be said in promoting a candidate,” labeling it reckless and unrepresentative of the quality or essence of the Obi‑Datti ticket.
Accordingly, the Forum advised figures like Chief Adebanjo to behave more responsibly, emphasizing that elections cannot be won through threats and insults. Nigerians will not be frightened from exercising their choices freely, and the unity and survival of Nigeria do not depend on politicians who seek to intimidate citizens or subvert a credible, peaceful transition of power.
The North remains committed to supporting a credible election under peaceful conditions and will back whichever candidate emerges as leader through that process. The Forum appealed to leaders, elders, politicians and authorities to refrain from inciting especially young Nigerians, who are more gullible and vulnerable to dangerous rhetoric. It reiterated that anyone with influence over Chief Adebanjo should counsel him to respect his age and the advantages he enjoys as a Nigerian.
Comments are closed for this story.