Press Statement by Alhaji Yerima Shettima, President of Arewa Youth Consultative Forum, over the ongoing crisis in Abia State

Alhaji Yerima Shettima

Press Statement by Alhaji Yerima Shettima, President of Arewa Youth Consultative Forum, over the ongoing crisis in Abia State
The unacceptable civilian coup in Abia and why Buhari must act fast!

Preamble: What is happening in Abia State today is a travesty of justice, a smear on decorum and an attempt to rubbish the democratic ethics and principles as well as the rule of law that we Nigerians have worked for. In view of this, and many other tangible reasons, our stand is as follows:-
1. We condemn without reservation the attempted civilian coup in Abia State. The events we witnessed in Abia are unprecedented and purely the civilian version of a military coup with elements working at INEC, security services and the judiciary involved in a plot to remove a democratically elected governor without allowing due legal process.
2. Investigations and reports received from various sources indicate that even the desperate politician seeking to supplant the democratically elected governor of Abia state, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu, is currently facing charges of fraud and forgery in Lagos as well as involvement in subsidy scams and is desperately seeking immunity from prosecution and hence ready to literally buy the office of Governor of Abia State.
3. We call on President Mohammadu Buhari to take necessary measures to ensure that Abia State does not implode with avoidable violence and bloodshed, and intervene in the political crisis in Abia State and ensure that the rule of law is followed.

4. We call on President Mohammadu Buhari to arrest everyone involved in this attempted coup and bring them to justice.
5. The judicial process must be allowed to be completed without further interference and we call on INEC Chairman to immediately withdraw the certificate of return wrongly and hastily given to one Sampson Ogah who is seeking to reap where he did not sow.
6. We have reviewed the political situation in Abia State and come to the conclusion that all available indices point to the fact that there is a need to allow the judicial process run its course up to the Supreme Court before any decision can be taken on the rightful Governor of Abia State.
7. We also called on the people of Abia State to resist any attempt to use them to foment trouble in the State and reminded them that no development takes place in a State of anarchy.
8. We feel duty bound to remind this narrow-minded, isolated politician that he cannot manipulate the political destiny of Abia State, by creating confusion where there is none. The Abia governor was voted because of his ability to improve the political, social and economic fortunes of the State and his patriotic zeal. Therefore, anyone who thinks he can pull a blind wool over the eyes of Abians, should have his brain examined. This twisting of logic and democratic institutions is unacceptable and must be resisted by all patriotic Nigerians.
Signed
Alhaji Yerima Shettima
National President,
Arewa Youth Consultative Forum