The Nigeria Ethnic Nationalities Youth Leaders Council (NENYLC), has called on Governor Yahaya Bello and Barr. Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan to put aside their differences and embrace peace.
President General of the NENYLC Comrade Terry Obeih made the call Tuesday at a world press conference in Abuja, stressing that the feud between both parties (Bello and Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan) is capable of causing tension in Kogi, Nigeria’s confluence state.
“The Nigeria Ethnic Nationalities Youth Leaders Council (NENYLC): Apex Coalition body of over 407 ethnic groups in Nigeria is extremely concerned over the recent excessive imbroglio between the Executive Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Adoza Bello and Barr. Natasha Apoti-Uduaghan, PDP Kogi Central Senatorial District candidate over allegations and counter-allegations of terrorism escapades and hobnobbing with one “Shefiu” and leading further threats of attacks, media maligning cum aggressive vilifications and intimidation between both parties, consequently causing hydraheaded tensions and fears in Kogi State.
“The State is strategically positioned between North and South on the borderline which serves as melting point of national unity and stability.”
The NENYLC further urged Governor Bello to treat Barr. Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan with care and caution to promote democracy and women inclusion in politics. It advised both parties to develop cordial relations being that they are youths and share the same ethnicity, senatorial district and state.
The coalition also called on President Mohammadu Buhari to intervene and broker peace between both parties while calling on all security agencies to probe every allegation raised.
“The two contending forces are both youths within our context. As a matter of promotion of democracy and inclusion of women and youths in politics and governance, we call on His Excellency, Alh. Yahaya A. Bello to reconsider his stance on this feud as a leader and lover of democracy in the state. Persistence of this rift will make the atmosphere unsafe for women participation in politics and governance.
“We therefore, urge both parties as well, to develop a cordial relationship having come from same ethnic group, Senatorial District, state and peer group in order to bring development to bear on the Constituency, State and the nation at large. Relevant stakeholders in the state should also play a role in resolving this situation. Partisanship shouldn’t bring political divide but exchange of views and ideas for the common development of the people.
“In furtherance to the aforementioned, it is pertinent to inform President Muhammadu Buhari to intervene and ensure to resolve peacefully all ensuing vagaries of crises and political animosity, while demanding all law enforcement agents and security apparatus and institutional architecture to ensure detailed investigation and thorough background check is carried out on these whole allegations raised for detailed investigation and thorough prosecution at a court of competent jurisdiction.
“Consequently, this ongoing feud if not curtailed is capable of causing a breach of peace and disruption of law and order in Kogi State, considering the fragile peace and security warning ahead of the 2023 elections. We finally demand a cease fire from all points of interest and attacks forthwith, ” Comrade Obeih said.
Also adding his voice, the Secretary General of the NENYLC and President, Yoruba Council of Youths Worldwide, Aare Oladotun Hassan said, “The leadership of the Nigerian Youth Leaders Council today is calling on President Mohammadu Buhari to call Governor Yahaya Bello and Barr. Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan for a peaceful resolution of this crisis which we see from the prism of political attrition and nothing less.
“Whereby politics should not be seen as a do-or-die affair, whoever is voted for by the people should be given the right of campaign and a free atmosphere to exercise their franchise interest so that no one is gagged on the premise of lies, especially when we are considering the fact that the issues being raised are issues of national security. That is why we are calling on the National Security Adviser to consider every terrorism allegation from all angles wholistically without leaving any stone unturned.”
