The Coalition of Concerned Northern Groups (CCNG) has said it is passing a vote of confidence on the leadership of President Ahmed Tinubu.
CCNG describes the recent statement by the Northern Elders Forum (NEF) where it was quoted as saying it regretted voting for Tinubu and will not throw its weight behind his candidature in 2027 as ill-fated coming from the forum.
A statement signed by its president, Muhammad Ibrahim and issued to Tribune Online on Sunday said NEF wrongly depicted President Bola Ahmad Tinubu by making such a statement.
“We wish to draw the attention of the NEF that it is a very unwise move for it to engage in such a slander especially now that the hard work of the President is seen by Nigerians to be manifesting practically.
“Was it not during the Buhari regime that the banditry became more prominent in the Northwest, a situation that has virtually killed the farming profession in the region and destroyed lives and property? Yet the NEF never rose against that.
“We are hardly two years into this regime which started on a very difficult footing with many things to be put right after being detracted by the immediate past regime.
“Hence, it is unbecoming as elders to demonise this regime instead of giving it the benefit of the doubt.
“Reviewing the NEF claims that they mobilised the north in favour of President Tinubu, even as his major contender, Atiku Abubakar was a northerner, cannot be substantiated because they have no such influence over the electorate in the region.
“In comparison with the Buhari regime, the NEF is not fair to President Tinubu who is currently enjoying the goodwill of Nigerians because of his commitment to national development and progress.
“We wish to state categorically that the CCNG, a coalition of concerned Northern Groups, is passing a vote of confidence on President Bola Ahmad Tinubu while calling on the NEF to reconsider its stance in the interest of the North and the northerners.
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