Members of Turaki Vanguard have decried the “uncomplimentary” remarks of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Public Affairs, Dr. Doyin Okupe on former Vice President , Atiku Abubakar.
They said it was wrong for Dr. Okupe to have maligned Atiku’s intentions at a press conference on Monday, November 2, 2014 where he expressed concerns over the dire security situation in the North-East zone and called on the international community to support Nigeria.
In a statement issued by its National President, Oladimeji Fabiyi, the group said at this critical stage in Nigeria’s history, “trading insults is a waste of time, rather we should deploy efforts on how to recover our lost territories, unless the people of the North-East do not matter to the current government.”
Fabiyi asserted that Nigeria had so far lost a total of 16 local government areas to Boko Haram: 9 in Bornu, 2 in Yobe and 5 in Adamawa states, adding that the total landmass the insurgents now occupied was the equivalent of three states of the federation.
He said as Atiku pointed out, “President Goodluck Jonathan cannot possibly want to go down in history as the only Nigerian Commander-in-Chief to have ever lost territory to terrorists. He still has a chance to redeem his legacy. The territorial integrity of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is at stake and must be restored. “
The group added that Madagali, hometown of Governor Bala Ngilari and Speaker of the Adamawa State House of Assembly, Hon Umar Fintiri ,had fallen to the terrorists. The same goes for Gulak, the hometown of the President’s former political adviser as well as Michika, which is home to the largest number of military Generals in Adamawa, after Numan.
Fabiyi said being concerned about these issues should be the focus of the Nigerian government, rather than disparaging concerned citizens.
“Once again, we reiterate Atiku’s call to the international community for support for the people of the North East Nigeria. Clearly, we cannot depend on the support of a government which is occupied with personal attacks while a section of the country is burning,” he said.
