Yakasai-led Group ‘Not Representing’ The North ,Says Kano Civil Society Forum

The Kano Civil Society Forum,KCSF has condemned the activities of Alhaji Tanko Yakasai -led Northern Elders’ Council.A statement by the forum made available to Newsdiaryonline.com said the council does ‘not represent anybody’ in the north.
The statement endorsed by M. K. Adams,publicity secretary, Kano Civil Society Forum said “We, as Kano Civil Society Forum, want to state categorically that the so-called Northern Elders’ Council is not representing anybody in the region. We want to use this medium to condemn and distance ourselves, as well as the region’s youths, from the unholy activities of alhaji Tanko Yakasai and his group.”
According to the civil society forum,”What Nigeria needs now are conscientious statesmen, politicians and commentators committed to national service, and sacrifice, rather than people who have turned political action into paid services for the highest bidder.
“In the light of the above, we, as Kano Civil Society Forum, have never heard of, or read, where Tanko Yakasai or his so-called Northern Elders’ Council championed or promoted anything regarding the progress or development of the North. Rather, the so-called Northern Elders’ Council is founded and promoted more as a campaign outfit for the incumbent president.
Kano Civil Society Forum’s statement was in reaction to Yakasai’s comments on the Arewa Consultative Forum’s position on the state of the nation, especially, the insecurity in the north.
KCSF Full statement said,“We note with dismay the press conference attributed to Alhaji Tanko Yakasai of the so-called Northern Elders’ Council, on the leadership of the ACF (Arewa Consultative Forum)and its position regarding the general problems of security and development bedeviling Nigeria due to the failed, and increasingly sectionalist, policies of the Federal Government of Nigeria under the leadership of Goodluck Ebele Jonathan.
“In his comment on the leadership role of the Arewa Consultative Forum in Nigeria, Tanko Yakasai attempted to politicize and denigrate the noble contributions of the Arewa Consultative Forum which has always played the role of not only being the Voice of the North, but which has also served as a vehicle for broad national consultations towards the general stabilization and development of the polity. In addition, the ACF is known to have also facilitated the promotion of independent opinions in Nigeria as a basis for true democracy and genuine national development.
“It is unfortunate that Alhaji Tanko Yakasai has not only misunderstood such important functions of the Arewa Consultative Forum; he has also attempted to misrepresent them. This is understandable, because the ACF is a non-political, civic and community organization dedicated to the promotion of the interests of its members. Unfortunately, such noble undertakings are not easily comprehended by politicians that are only available for carrying out the biddings of political money bags. What Nigeria needs now are conscientious statesmen, politicians and commentators committed to national service, and sacrifice, rather than people who have turned political action into paid services for the highest bidder.
“In the light of the above, we, as Kano Civil Society Forum, have never heard of, or read, where Tanko Yakasai or his so-called Northern Elders’ Council championed or promoted anything regarding the progress or development of the North. Rather, the so-called Northern Elders’ Council is founded and promoted more as a campaign outfit for the incumbent president.
“Secondly, we, as Kano Civil Society Forum, want to state categorically that the so-called Northern Elders’ Council is not representing anybody in the region. we want to use this medium to condemn and distance ourselves, as well as the region’s youths, from the unholy activities of Alhaji Tanko Yakasai and his group.
“Finally, we want to re-emphasize our unshakable support for the views expressed by the distinguished Chairman, Alhaji Ibrahim Kumasi, and the Arewa Consultative Forum in general.