Arewa Youth Consultative Forum (AYCF), has berated former president, Olusegun Obasanjo, for trying to instigate violence in the country. 

In a statement signed by the national president of AYCF, Yerima Shettima on Tuesday, the group alleged that there is a grand plan by the elder statesman and some politicians who are afraid of defeat to destabilise the country.

Obasanjo, in a letter addressed to President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday, advised that in the face of palpable tension building up following the outcome of Saturday’s elections, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), should step down the collation and redo the exercise where the process was compromised.

Reacting, AYCF accused Mr Obasanjo of working hand-in-hand with politicians who are afraid of defeat in the 2023 elections to overheat the polity and eventually destabilise the nation. 

“We are appalled by the level of incendiary comments, designed to deliberately ignite violence in the name of promoting free and fair elections. Consequent upon this emerging threat, we wish to state for the records that

We have had enough of mindless killings in defence of personal interest of grabbing power by any politician through the back door.

“We are watching very closely, the activities of agent provocateurs, operating from the shadows, with the sole aim of creating regional and religious sentimentalism, meant to lead to massive killings of innocent souls in the name of politics. 

“Let anyone not be deceived by their strategy against national unity and cohesion, the two important pillars of peace and brotherhood in today’s Nigeria,” the group said. 

The group said it was taken aback by the so-called letter of Mr Obasanjo, while condemning him for being the only one taking “dangerous, narrow-minded stance” on any political situation in Nigeria. 

 “Nigerians would by now be disappointed by former President Obasanjo’s decidedly partisan activities,” the group added.  BY TEMITOPE MUSOWO, People's Gazette