Daud Olatunji
In a fervent plea for vigilance and national unity, Comrade Afiyo Elliot, the National President of the Northern Youth Leader’s Forum (NYLF), sounded the alarm regarding purported negotiations between the Nigerian government and foreign powers to relocate military bases to Nigerian soil.
Speaking at a press conference in Abeokuta on Wednesday, Elliot expressed grave concerns over the potential ramifications of such a move, particularly amidst what he described as surreptitious attempts to erode Nigeria’s democratic principles and institutions.
Elliot accused the government of appeasement towards the United States and France due to Nigeria’s perceived inability to mobilize the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) for military intervention in neighboring Niger Republic.
Elliot emphasized the unwavering resolve of Northern Youth to resist any attempts to cede Nigerian territory to foreign powers.
“The Northern Youth will never allow a square meter of land in the entire North to be ceded to French or American Governments under any guise or reason,” Elliot declared emphatically.
Elliot’s remarks come at a time of heightened political tension, with concerns mounting over the alleged internal strife within opposition parties, particularly the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
He lamented clandestine efforts to destabilize the party, accusing certain elements of hijacking its structures to stifle opposition voices.
“We are deeply concerned with the political scheming in the opposition Parties, especially in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), which is geared towards the destruction of the Party and consequently silencing the opposition,” Elliot remarked.
Moreover, Elliot criticized the National Chairman of the PDP for what he perceived as a deliberate silence in the face of governmental overreach and the erosion of democratic norms.
He called for urgent action to halt the planned destruction of opposition parties and ensure justice and equity within the political landscape.
Turning his attention to the proposed relocation of military bases to Nigerian territory, Elliot reiterated his staunch opposition to the plan, citing concerns over potential foreign interference and the sovereignty of Nigerian land.
He urged the Federal Government to discontinue negotiations with immediate effect, warning of dire consequences should they proceed.
“We have over the years observed the criminal activities of the French Government against the interest of Nigeria, especially in the North-East and North-West geopolitical zones,” Elliot emphasized.
“If the Federal Government continues with this plan, then the Government should be prepared to face the collective resistance of the Northern Youth.
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