Northern Elders Forum declares support for Acting President Yemi Osinbajo

The Northern Elders Forum (NEF) has declared its support for Acting President Yemi Osinbajo and urged him to sustain a united, focused and committed administration in the absence of President Muhammadu Buhari.

In an announcement released after its two-day emergency meeting in Kano on Thursday, the forum urged Osinbajo to be watchout for “mischievous elements” who intend to take advantage of the absence of Buhari to achieve “dubious political goals”.

Ango Abdullahi, leader of the forum and Paul Unongo, deputy leader, who signed the communique, said the north is conscious of its obligations and rights and will not hesitate to discharge and defend them without reservations.

They warned those seeking undeserved political advantage to desist from such moves, and commended Buhari for respecting the constitution by transferring power to Osinbajo when it became necessary for him to travel to seek medical treatment.

“The forum expresses its full support for Acting President Osinbajo and urges him to exercise responsibility, as he did in the past, with commitment, sensitivity and respect for the constitution,” the statement read.

“We urge him to ignore mischief which seeks to pitch him against the president or the Nigerian people whose mandates they both exercise.”

They also commended Buhari for tackling the Boko Haram insurgency, especially in the north-east.

“Buhari has confronted the issue that has been disturbing us by tackling the insurgency which had caused a lot of havoc in the region especially the three states of Borno, Yobe and Adamawa,” the communique read.

NEF applauded Senate President Bukola Saraki and speaker, house of representatives, Yakubu Dogara for providing the “necessary leadership to stabilise the polity”.

Watch a video of the event below: