Boko Haram: Zamfara deputy gov urges northern elite to unite

From Edwin Olofu, Kano

The Deputy Governor of Zamfara state, Malam Ibrahim Wakala has tasked northern elites to close ranks and halt the carnage ravaging the region.

The Deputy Governor, in a speech delivered in Kano, during the 6th year anniversary of an on-line social group, ‘Dandalin Siyasa Online Forum’, stressed the need for the elite to savour the dream of a prosperous region, as espoused by the founding fathers.

Malam Ibrahim Wakala, who was the chairman of the anniversary celebration lamented that recent happenings do not hold promise for the future.

The APC stalwart stated that time is ripe for the “northern elite and politicians alike to come back to our senses and realize that this is not the north left to us by our founding fathers”.

The Deputy Governor, who also doubles as Sarkin Malaman Gusau, stressed that “the late Sardauna of Sokoto, Ahmadu Bello and the late Prime minister, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, paid dearly with their lives for championing the cause of the region”, adding that “we must play our role to keep the dream alive”.

He noted that “the future is obviously bleak not just for the present crop of people but also the future generations if things are to continue unabated”.

Sarkin Malaman Gusau therefore gave a reminder that “we owe our forefathers and great heroes of our region a duty to sustain their vision and legacies so that their sacrifices will not be in vain”.

He commended members of the Online Forum for initiating proactive steps that would assist to restore the past glory of the north.

The Deputy Governor therefore tasked the Pan-Arewa social Forum to champion intellectual discourse and as well, explore ideas that would guide the north.