The apex northern sociocultural group, Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), has expressed disappointment with the United States President Donald Trump’s re-designating Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) over alleged genocide against Christians in Nigeria.
In a reaction to the pronouncement, the forum’s national publicity secretary, Professor Tukur Muhammad-Baba, in a statement made available to LEADERSHIP on Sunday, said, “As with all patriotic Nigerians, members of the Arewa Consultative Forum have received with derp disappointment news of the designation of Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) by the United States.
“More concerning and even alarming is the egregious threat of what will amount to a foreign invasion of a sovereign African country by the US. Any right thinking Nigerian and other analysts will testify that the premise of the US action is grossly sweeping and misleading. With its vast array of intelligence resources deployed all over, the US ought to know better. Those who know better ought to think and act better.”
According to group, “stating the obvious, Nigerians, Christians and Muslims alike have been suffering attack from non-state actors – terrorists, bandits, insurgents, religious extremists, etc., In the North East, North central, North West, South East and other parts of the country. The victims of the senseless violence have included persons of all faiths. It’s sheer delusion to see it otherwise.”
For years, he said, ACF was aware that successive Nigerian Governments have appealed to the US for assistance to no avail, adding that if the US was willing to help the Nigerian military in wiping out the insurgents, everyone will be happy. “But to think that someone, anyone, will come to protect Christians only, is to engage in a quixotic mission,” he stressed.
“History does not encourage anyone, least of all Nigerians and Africans to see foreign invasion as salutary. Let us remember the history and outcomes of such adventures in Vietnam, Afghanistan, Syria, Irag, etc. Nearer home, there are Libya and the Sudan, the Sahelian states until they had a rethink, to list a few.
“To say the least, foreign military boots on Nigerian soil, whatever form it takes will be messy. No rational thinking person will want that.
“ACF welcomes the announcement by the Federal Government that it is processing the development and developing counter strategies.
Professor Muhammad-Baba said the Federal Government deserved the support of all concerned, adding that ACF, however, called on all Nigerians to engage in deep reflections over the matter and support the government as it responds to the matter.
“Equally, sister Afrixan and other countries should be rallied for solidarity and support. Hiven its grave implications fir the Nigeria Project, ACF will continue to monitor, assess, and respond to further developments on the matter,” he stated.
