By Ishaya Ibrahim, News Editor
Arewa Youth Consultative Forum (AYCF) has berated presidential spokesman, Femi Adesina for poor choice of words while responding to criticism of Northern Elders Forum (NEF) leader, Professor Ango Abdullahi, against President Muhammadu Buhari’s handling of security.
In a statement by AYCF national president, Yerima Shettima, the presidential spokesman could not have used same level of language against a Yoruba elder.
“Our attention has been drawn to the use of highly-disrespectful words by President Buhari’s spokesman, Femi Adesina, against our respected elder, Professor Ango Abdullahi, for conveying the true feelings of millions of Northerners.
“For the widely-publicised unguarded outbursts of Femi Adesina, we as youths from the North would like to declare as follows:
“1. That Femi Adesina has insulted the North and we take exception to his choice of words, which we believe he would never use against elders from Yoruba land for whatever reason. We demand the withdrawal of the abusive language he deployed against Professor Ango Abdullahi and other respected elders in NEF.
“2. We cannot fathom why telling truth to power over the increasing killings in the North by Prof Ango warrants the use of derogatory language against our elders by Femi Adeshina.
“3. We find it even scandalous that a Presidential Spokesman lacks the right choice of words to use in dodging the reality of today’s Nigeria, in which the North is worse off.
“4. We would like to make it abundantly clear that we will not condone the deployment of foul language against our elders any more. This is not the first time Mr. Adesina would be spewing foul language against elders of our region but we hope it will be the last.
“5. We would like to let Adesina know that no one has the monopoly of derogatory words and the insults against the North must be stopped at once.”
The AYCF said that it would not take such attack on our elders again.
“We wish to call on all Northerners of good conscience to ignore Adesina’s unguarded outburst against Prof Ango and NEF. Enough of this nonsense; please, ” Shettima said.