Int’l Observer’s Comment: Ohanaeze, Arewa, Yoruba youths drag El-Rufai to ICC

Tom Okpe, Abuja

Youth leaders of major ethnicity across the conntry have threatened to drag governor Nasir El’ Rufai of Kaduna State to the International Criminals Court for allegedly threatening the International Obaervers, endorsing the candidacy of Alhaji Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) against the incumbent President Muhammadu Buhari. The group comprising Arewa Youths consultative forum, Yoruba Youths Council, Ohaneze Youth Council, Ijaw Youth Council, Anioma Youth Council among others urged both local and international observers to ignore the threat by the Kaduna state governor as the nation prepares for the general elections. Earlier in the week, leaders and elders of Nigeria’s major socio-cultural groups across the six geo-political zones have endorsed Atiku Abubakar as the next president. Addressing a press conference in Abuja on Thursday, the youth leaders assured that Nigerian youths would not be a tool in the hands of el-Rufai and his ilks to unleash violence which could truncate democratic rule during and after the coming elections. The governor had reportedly said “those that are calling for anyone to come and intervene in Nigeria’s politicàl affairs will go back in body bags”. Shettima Yerima, Leader, Arewa Youths Forum who described the antics of el-Rufai as that of a drowning man said Nigerians can be rest assured as the youths would not shed their blood in the 36 states of the federation inclusing the FCT in the forthcoming election. He said: “When somebody is drowning, he looks for excuses. No body will shed blood for anybody this time around. It is obvious and very clear that we have come of age. I am from Kaduna state. el-Rufai is speaking out of frustration because he knows that he is not popular and he might want to incite people. “Our people are well informed. It would not be easy for any person to use the youths to achieve political goals. We are going to monitor the election, we will protect our votes and the votes will count. We have suffered enough and its a moment of decision. We will vote them out”. For Oladotun Hassan of the Yoruba Council of Youths, el-Rufai’s statement was tantamount to hate speech and committal of treason against the Nigerian state just as he hinted that his group may be forced to drag el-Rufai to the international criminal court (ICC) over the threat to observer groups from abroad. Lead speaker, Oweilami Pereotubo of the Ijaw Youth Council who called on the Independent Electoral commission (INEC) to ensure the conduct of a free and fair poll swore that the youths would deploy use of technology, the social media and electronic media to monitor the general elections across the country. He endorsed Atiku Abubakar of the opposition peoples democratic party (PDP) for the exalted position of the presidency over his need to restructure the country. He said: “We are determined to ensure that the next set of Nigerian leaders are those with clear understanding of the Nexus, proper resource management, good diplomatic relations as opportunity direct foreign investment “We will continue to stand by any leader who understands the link between national development and harmonious blending of the diverse ethnic Nationalities across the various geo-political Zones of the country. We dare say that the best leader for Nigeria as we approach yet another general election is the type who has enormous acceptability across all the geo-political Zones. “We expect nothing short of free, fair and non-violent elections in 2019 and we have since commenced the mobilization of our members to support only a Presidential candidate genuinely concerned about restructuring of our nation. “We will work hand-in-hand with all relevant stakeholders to continue to enlighten them in the need to ensure that only a candidate who can get Nigeria back on its track of socio-economic and political spheres, a leader who is very conversant with what our national economy needs and the link with good governance. “As members of the Nigerian Ethnic Nationalities Youth Leaders Forum, we are aware the deep-rooted fears amongst the electorate regarding the high risk of manipulation of the election by vested interests within the corridors of power in collaboration with their foot soldiers. This fear became bare faced with the Open attempt to emasculate the judiciary”. The group maintained that the unwarranted, Gestapo style expectedly drew the anger of the international community, EU, UK, US, AU and others adding; “The move has ridiculed our international image, creating more doubts about sincerity regarding the 2019 second leg of a civilian -to -civilian transition”.