Consensus fiasco: Northern elders not affiliated to any political party – NEF

By Abubakar Yunusa

Northern Elders Forum (NEF) has said that the Forum is not affiliated to any political party or aspirant, but strongly committed to the creation of a level playing field which will allow the emergence of the best leaders in the 2023 elections.

NEF Director of Publicity and Advocacy, Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, in a statement signed yesterday, explained that it has also remained consistent in its conviction that all parts of the country should play their parts freely, unhindered by restrictions which offend principles of inclusion and fairness.

According to him, the Forum believes the North has excellent candidates whose fate should be left to party delegates and voters to decide.

He said the Forum remains united behind the protection and projection of the interest of the North and Nigeria, and will play its role as it had done whenever circumstances demand.

Baba-Ahmed noted that it has become necessary to address the impression created in part by mischief, and in part by genuine confusion over the role of the Convener of Northern Elders Forum, in the efforts to create consensus among four aspirants for the Presidential ticket of the PDP.

According to him, “It is important to make clear that the entire process did not involve the Northern Elders Forum as a group, and is not a product of the group. Professor Ango Abdullahi is free to undertake any lawful activity as a citizen, and genuine misinterpretations of his role are understandable.

“The idea to attempt to engineer a consensus among the aspirants was that of the aspirants themselves. Governors Aminu Tambuwal and Bala Mohammed, former Senate President Bukola Saraki and Malam Mohammed Hayatudeen, had informed ex-President Badamasi Babangida of their intention, and requested elderly intervention and advice in the event that their efforts failed to produce consensus.

“President Babangida in turn requested Professor Ango Abdullahi, in his individual capacity, to design and manage a process that could improve a consensus agreement among the four aspirants. Professor Ango Abdullahi concluded that assignment and released a detailed report and recommendation, signing it in his individual capacity,” he said.