BY EZE NNADI
As political parties and stakeholders strategize for the 2023 general elections, a northern group, Arewa Youth Assembly (AYA) on Monday that there would not be any election in the North in 2023 if the federal government does not act to rid the zone of the menace of terrorists and bandits
The youths warns the federal government to forget about holding the 2023 general elections in the zone, unless it secures the release of Nigerians in the captivity of terrorists as well as liberate the region from attacks.
Spokesperson of the Arewa youths, Mohammed Salihu Danlami, who stated this in a statement, lamented the delay in securing the release of victims of the ill-fated Abuja-Kaduna bound train that have spent over 120 days in captivity and still counting.
“The Arewa Youth Assembly (AYA) shares in the pain and agony of the immediate families and friends of those in captivity and we pray to God to intervene through His supernatural power and set them free.
“The AYA noted that the growing audacity of non-state actors which led to the invasion of Kuje Maximum Prison, Abuja and subsequent release of numerous arrested Boko Haram commanders showed that even Mr President in the Presidential Villa is not safe. This means it is just a matter of time, these ragtag elements may draw inspiration from Afghanistan and take over leadership of our country
“We have observed that this insult to our country’s supremacy wouldn’t have been possible if the National Security Adviser, Babagana Munguno who is supposed to guide Mr President had not run out of ideas.
“Having been appointed the NSA over 7 years ago, we strongly believe he has nothing new to offer, hence, the need to vacate the office or get kicked out by Mr President.
“We make bold to state that our youths won’t participate in activities in the build-up to 2023 general elections and the election proper if our brothers and sisters in captivity are not released and our communities that are now under the control of either Ansaru terrorists in North Central and North West or ISWAP in North East are liberated.
“In order words, politicians are only welcome to our region when we have every reason to believe that our forests are free from bandits and terrorists,” the group warned.