By Christiana Ekpa
A group, Patriotic Presidential Candidates Forum (PPCF), has cautioned political and cultural leaders in the South East and West to stop backing secessionists, saying the interest of the nation should be considered over individual and sectional interests.
In a statement issued by Spokesperson and Co-Chairman of the group, Rabia Cengiz, the ex-candidates said they contested the presidency with President Muhammadu Buhari, lamenting security challenges bedeviling the country. It added that the situation should not be further compounded in the guise of agitation and secession.
The group pointed out that they have noticed tribal colouration disguised as self determinism, saying the elite and traditional rulers from the affected zones should shun acts capable of undermining the unity of Nigeria.
The statement said “We the Patriotic Presidential Candidates Forum that contested the 2019 general Election alongside with Muhammadu Buhari, hereby call on all well meaning Igbo people including patriotic leaders at all level, from the South Eastern States to see Nigeria Nation as more important than one individual, ethnic and tribal interest or Regional agitation in the face of the current insecurity and many National challenges bedeviling our Nation at the moment.
“We wish to advise all the political elites and traditional rulers from the Eastern region to shun any act capable of destroying our overall national interest and unity, and all forms of selfish ambition or ethnic interest”.
They called on all and sundry to close ranks in building a nation that would facilitate the growth of generations and those yet unborn, stating that as the most populous black nation, Nigeria has numerous advantages to lead Africa in the nearest future.
