CAUTION RTD. LT. GEN. DANJUMA, OBA OF LAGOS” – APGA REPLIES AREWA‏

We, at the ALL PROGRESSIVES GRAND ALLIANCE (APGA) NIGERIA, are alarmed and rather disappointed at the press release Wednesday 23/4/15, of parochial views expressed by the AREWA CONSULTATIVE FORUM (ACF), after their recent meeting this week in Kaduna, Kaduna State.

We are particularly unimpressed of their analysis on national events, especially regarding comments by the National Chairman of the ALL PROGRESSIVES GRAND ALLIANCE, NIGERIA, Chief Sir Victor Umeh on broad Nigerian issues.

While we commend the AREWA for their understanding that Chief Victor Umeh – the National Chairman of the ALL PROGRESSIVES GRAND ALLIANCE (APGA) NIGERIA, spoke as a Political Leader with followers all over Nigeria, We will however also regret that a body like the AREWA will continue to view Nigeria from a very myopic lens, and not understand that certain perspectives expressed from their corner in the Nigeria polity, hold foreboding and unease for our quilt as a nation.

We, at the ALL PROGRESSIVES GRAND ALLIANCE (APGA), are of the opinion that Our National Chairman’s viewpoint was on course, as nothing may be further deduced from the electoral voting pattern demonstrated by the Northern Nigeria bloc in the last Presidential elections on March 28, 2015, where the Northern Nigeria and their Leaders voted in unison against the President of Nigeria – Dr. Goodluck Jonathan. Such monolithic voting pattern was not recorded elsewhere across the Nigerian North/South divide. At the APGA, We continue to wonder on the sentiments behind such electoral demonstration.

We, at the APGA are appalled and disappointed that a body like the AREWA also saw nothing wrong in the flippant statement by Rtd. Lt. General Theophilus Danjuma, during President Jonathan’s visit to the Ex- Lieutenant-General. The APGA will continue to warn that is important that people in such vantage positions be careful in making very sensitive comments, as our body politic counts on their painstaking understanding and commentary for our continued existence.

Rtd. Lt., General Danjuma, even from his bird-eye view, should understand that his opinions regarding Nigeria and its constitution have a tainted bent. A General who has repeatedly been heralded to be at the forefront of the military arm of the Northern oligarchy – his antecedents support such viewpoint, General Danjuma made Jaw dropping donations to ethnic institutions like the Ahmadu Bello University, and once reminded Northern elders and politicians in June 2003, that it was never in the character of the people (Northerners) to talk too much, but to take action. Such vitae cannot be waved away when the Retired General makes untoward remarks, especially as it affects a third of the Nigerian population, and their Icon.

We will ask the AREWA to re-direct their comments at individuals and ethnic representatives such as the Rtd., Lt. General Danjuma and Oba Rilwanu Akiolu – the Oba of Lagos, who pose immediate threat to the peaceful existence in Nigeria. and request their understanding to stop talking too much, as such talk sets the Nigerian polity on edge. The AREWA will do well to counsel Lt. General Danjuma, and the Oba of Lagos among other prominent individuals to make comments which puts our Nigerian quilt at ease, than on edge.

They must understand that LAGOS and ABUJA were not built in a day. It was built by very careful Tolerance. That should be our Nigerian watchword.

Because at the APGA, Domicile Security in Nigeria is paramount.