The Coalition of Northern Groups on Tuesday promised to retaliate against the alleged killing of its kinsmen in the South-East geo-political zone, the development it claimed, had been greeted with the conspiracy of silence.
The organization also threatened to boycott patronage of the media over what it termed bias by media managers on the activities of the Indigenous People of Biafra and Eastern Security Network.
The spokesperson for CNG, Abdul-Azeez Suleiman, issued the threats in a statement which, according to him, was “in response to the incessant killing of Northerners in South-East”.
He added that they would “be forced to react to every provocation and unwarranted violation.”
He said the CNG had taken stock of events unfolding in South-East Nigeria, especially, the attacks and killings of Northerners passing through or residing among Igbo communities as minorities.
The statement reads, “We note that hate campaigns and propaganda being conducted by certain interest groups in the South-East in the form of regional and ethnic agitators have emboldened the outlawed terrorist IPOB/ESN to carry out these unprovoked evictions, attacks, killings, destructions of properties and other forms of violations against northerners in various parts of the South East.
“We are particularly disturbed by the reports of the brutal murder of a mother and her four children for the only sin of being Northerners. This followed other reports that some trucks conveying goods to the South were also set ablaze in Anambra at the weekend and the drivers and other occupants were killed, injured or disappeared without a trace.
“In sets of gory video clips trending online and seen by CNG, the victims were seen lying in the pool of their blood with bullets spread around and a narrator speaking in Igbo saying, “Everybody should look at this video that they have shot a woman and her four children. They are from the North. And they are shooting everybody they see on the street; so people should be careful.”
“Regrettably, we also note the manifestation of a dangerous conspiracy of silence when days after the Sunday’s killing of the Northerners without any provocation, the story has not been told by any of the national print and broadcast media despite wide coverage by the social media with graphic photos of the mayhem and condemnation by security operatives, groups and individuals.
“We have watched and studied these events carefully and with considerable restraint and maturity, to the point of condoning and accommodating several unreasonable and unacceptable actions that have been perpetrated against Nigerians collectively, and northerners in particular.
“The intrinsic bias of the media and the double standards, hypocrisy and cowardice of regional, traditional, cultural, political and religious leaders from both the South and the North have become more glaring when they condemned the Deborah incident in Sokoto but conspiratorially and deliberately decline comments on the murderous activities of IPOB/ESN terrorists including the slaughter of a legislator.
“We note also the deliberate attempt by the media and southern leaders to conceal the true identity of the murderous IPOB/ESN terrorists by concealing it as ‘unknown gunmen’ while in actual sense they are known.
“We are aware that the activities of the IPOB/ESN terror groups are supported morally and politically by the vast majority of the pliant Igbo elites, politicians, traditional rulers, business persons, and the larger population of this ethnic group. It is also a situation that feeds on the docility of the affrighted section of those who pose as Northern leaders today.
“The recent attacks have pushed matters to a point whereby silence has become complicity and inaction is no longer an option, making it impossible for us to remain indifferent or silent in the face of such extreme provocations. As the representatives of various interest groups from Northern Nigeria, the CNG today declares enough is enough.
“The North will no longer remain passive under such deliberate and sustained attacks on its people and interests, and will henceforth be forced to react to every provocation and unwarranted violation.
“The North’s reticence in speaking out or taking action is not born of fear or ignorance of how to respond in kind and those who tempt us should know that the North is no longer going to turn the other cheek.
“We, therefore, invite the attention of southern leaders, their Northern collaborators and the bankrupt section of the Northern political elite and other authors of mindless violence and separatism who see it as their duty to actualise what their fathers started in 1966, to remember that people from other regions are residing and doing businesses all over the North and to warn them that we shall no longer be expected to turn the other cheek if Northerners would not be protected wherever they live as minorities in particularly Nigeria.
“We also warn media operators of an imminent boycott of patronage all over the North unless they change to being more restrained and balanced in their reporting of all situations in the country, particularly when matters coming from or affecting northerners are reported or commented on.
“We caution them to desist from and to eschew the slanted reporting of events with greater bias against a particular religious and ethnic group as is witnessed in the reporting of security situations recently.
“We warn that editorial policies and restraints imposed by ordinary decency and sanity must not be abandoned by the media establishment for sensational and often biased reporting that only inflame tensions in the country.”
On Wednesday, a new coalition consisting of seven opposition political parties was formed with the aim of enhancing democracy in the country. The Coalition of Concerned Political Parties was officially established in Abuja during a meeting of political party leaders held at the National Secretariat of the Social Democratic Party (SDP). The parties involved in the coalition are the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), African Democratic Congress (ADC), Social Democratic Party (SDP), Peoples Allied Movement (PAM), New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Young Progressives Party (YPP), and Zenith Labour Party (ZLP).
The formation of this coalition follows concerns raised by Atiku Abubakar, the PDP presidential candidate, who, during a meeting with the Inter-party Advisory Council (IPAC) in November, expressed worry about the country heading towards a one-party state. The opposition leaders recognized the need for unity in response to these concerns.
The coalition, while addressing the prevailing insecurity in the country, urged the judiciary to safeguard Nigeria’s democracy and maintain its independence from political and governmental influence. Shehu Gabam, the national chairman of SDP, emphasized the importance of a robust judiciary as the last hope for the common man and called for caution in the face of recent developments in states like Zamfara, Nasarawa, Kano, and Plateau.
Gabam clarified that the coalition is not advocating for a merger and expressed opposition to IPAC. Setonji Koshoedo, the acting national secretary of PDP, representing the party’s acting national chairman, Umar Damagum, highlighted that the coalition aims to provide a strong opposition. Chief Ralph Nwosu, the national chairman of ADC, stressed that the coalition’s objective is to strengthen democracy, citing instances of government officials attempting to stifle viable opposition.
The Action Alliance (AA) has conveyed its astonishment regarding the military drone attack resulting in casualties and injuries in Tudun Biri, Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State. In a statement on Tuesday, the National Chairman of AA, Dr. Adekunle Rufai Omo-Aje, extended condolences to Governor Uba Sani and the residents of the state.
Expressing deep sadness over the incident, Omo-Aje highlighted the party’s concern about the accidental bombing that claimed the lives of innocent civilians and caused severe injuries to others. He emphasized the need for measures to prevent such incidents in the future, particularly regarding the safety and well-being of civilians in conflict zones.
Omo-Aje urged for a comprehensive investigation into the occurrence, echoing the sentiments of other Nigerians. Additionally, he commended Governor Uba Sani for his swift response to the unfortunate incident, acknowledging the governor’s efforts in addressing the aftermath of the military operation.
Umar Damagum, the Acting Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has stated that the National Working Committee (NWC) under his leadership will refrain from suspending or dismissing any ‘disloyal’ member. This statement follows recent calls from some PDP stakeholders urging Damagum to take action against individuals, including former Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike, for alleged anti-party activities during the recent general elections.
Addressing the PDP Mobilisers Group in Abuja, Damagum dismissed the calls for sanctions and revealed that the NWC had approved the establishment of a committee to review and reconcile all aggrieved members. He emphasized the party’s focus on reconciliation and expanding its membership rather than punishing alleged anti-party activities that could harm the party.
Damagum clarified, “They are always telling you these people are not doing the right thing. But when you are in a position of leadership, you are bound by a set of rules, and these rules, even though they are itching you, you don’t apply them—not because of anything, but so that you don’t destroy the house.”
He also described the 2023 presidential election defeat as “most painful” and cautioned party members against engaging in a blame game. Damagum highlighted the party’s commitment to a thorough review of the 2023 elections and reconciliation efforts, expressing his belief in the strength of the PDP.
Acknowledging that some members were involved in anti-party activities at various levels, Damagum stated, “If I said we should start suspension, I will end up suspending many people because they were involved in anti-party activities. So, please bear with us. We intend to keep this party together and to manage it. This is my mandate.”
