REVOLUTION: Northern Groups at war of words over planned protests against Buhari

#RevolutionNow Movement members 

Following a planned resuscitation of the #RevolutionNow protest in the north by the Joint Northern Action Front (JONAF), the Coalition of Northern Groups (CNG), yesterday insisted that the north would not participate in the movement.

According to the CNG, the north cannot participate in a protest aimed at “forcefully overthrowing the current democratic government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”



But JONAF in a statement issued to journalists in Kaduna on Sunday, said it was set to join the campaign and that plans were underway to mobilise its members in at least four northern states this week to join other progressives who were protesting against the maladministration of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and President Muhammadu Buhari.

However, addressing newsmen yesterday at Arewa House, Kaduna, CNG spokesman, Abdul-Azeez Suleiman, insisted that the north would not join in the protest.

According to Abdul-Azeez, “the #Revolutionow was politely rejected by the north in view of its pronounced sinister intention of forcefully overthrowing the current democratic government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.



“It is therefore surprising and suspicious that any group of people should, for any intent and purpose, attempt to resurrect the dead revolution particularly in the north.”
The spokesman also alleged that a northern governor was behind the protest in the north, adding that they might be forced to expose him.

He said: “We wish to remind the north of the expedience to retain its position as the bulwark of respect, integrity, dignity, decorum, tradition, decency, morality, civilization, etiquette, good behaviour, politeness, accommodation, and other positive traits that include civil approach to every situation.



“The fact that in spite of the studied and dignified reserve of the north and refusal by its people to engage in the destructive move for the overthrow of a democratic government in the guise of a revolution, fresh attempts are now being made to mislead the region into embarking on a journey without knowing the actual destination, gives room for serious concern.

“It is observed that without the slightest hint at addressing national grievances, these planned protests only aim to promote the mischievous 2023 political agenda of certain northern politicians by scapegoating other individuals.


“While the nation is generally convinced about the existence of a certain cabal with ample influence on President Muhammadu Buhari and his policies, we nevertheless believe that it should not be made the key focus for the calls to violent confrontation as suggested by organisers of the protests.

“CNG specifically suspects a certain serving governor of one of the North-West states of masterminding the proposed northern version of the #Revolutionow as well as the anti-cabal protests held earlier to bring about chaos to avenge his loss in a bid to be made a principal officer in the presidency.

“We therefore see the planned agitations and disturbances as part of a wider agenda aimed at ushering in instability thereby occasioning a change of structure in the presidency to suit the plan of this governor by whatever means and tactics.



“We advise the North-West governor involved in this unpatriotic plan to desist and call off the plans forthwith, otherwise we would not hesitate to expose him and his mischievous plans.

“To our brothers who are misled into accepting to be part of the dangerous agitations, we urge more patriotism on their part and ask them to reconsider their position, keeping in mind how Libya was brought to its present situation,” the CNG spokesman said.