Protect Nigerians or accept that you are incapable - Northern elders to Buhari

• President Buhari has been urged to secure Nigerians

• The call was made by Northern Elders Forum while reacting to the security state of the country

• According to the group, Nigerians do not war

The Northern Elders Forum (NEF) has urged President Buhari to tackle head-on the security challenges affecting the country or accept that he is incapable of leading the nation.

The NEF also stated that Fulani's in the Southern parts of the country now live in fear as a result of the incessant attacks on them.

In a statement signed by its Director, Publicity and Advocacy Dr. Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, the NEF said the majority of Nigerians don’t want war and as such want the country to remain as one.

“The Forum restates that the North will not be cowed and stampeded into escorting political ambitions of politicians at the cost of its rights, security and dignity.

Northern Elders’ Forum laments over recent pronouncements of southern governors

“It demands that President Buhari asserts the powers our constitution gives him to protect our territorial integrity and secure citizens, or accept that he is incapable of leading the nation through these unprecedented challenges.

“Attacks on lawful Fulani and other Northerners in the South must stop, and those who have killed them must be brought to book.

“The nation needs to know that Northerners in many parts of the South now live in heightened fear as they are profiled and harassed by elements in host communities who believe that there are no consequences for their actions.

“The forum demands an end to attacks on federal agents and facilities. Governors in the South must be unambiguous in their condemnation and resistance against these dangerous activities,” NEF said.

The Northern Elders said if Nigeria is to survive its current difficulties and build a better nation, President Buhari must improve his levels of competence, awareness that the nation is sliding into disaster and sensitivity to the frustrations of Nigerians.

“Other political leaders who take advantage of the limitations of the President to light fires should know that they will get burnt in them.

“Overwhelming majority of Nigerians do not want war or an end to our union. We just want an end to insecurity, escalating cost of living and the hate and the fear which our leaders are triggering,” the statement noted.

NEF expressed disappointment that some elected officials taken sides with secessionists especially in the Southern part of the country.

“It is now clear that elected people sworn to protect the constitution and protect the unity and integrity of Nigeria have decided to surrender to deeply divisive or outrightly irredentist and secessionist tendencies and movements.

In another report, NEF accused leaders in Nigeria’s southern regions of ganging up against the north. The forum lamented that the situation has instilled fear in northerners, especially Fulani residing in different parts of the country.