A rights group, Human Rights, Liberty Access and Peace Defenders’ Foundation (HURIDE) has called on the new Chief of Staff (COS) to President Muhammdu Buhari, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari to shame his critics by his sterling performance of uniting the country.
The group charged him to leave a legacy in his new office as a diplomat and scholar of international repute by resisting the temptation of being a Northern or Fulani irredentist.
In a statement signed by the chairman of HURIDE, Dede Uzor A Uzor, the rights group advised Gambari to balance his loyalty to his boss and his commitment to the unity of Nigeria, The DAILY VENDOR reports.
The statement partly read, “Analysis so far especially from the South West media have indicated that the new Chief of staff might be a more rabid Northerner than his late predecessor, Abba Kyari, but we urge Gambari to shame his critics by his sterling performance of uniting the divided Nation said the group.
“He should shun all the things he has been accused of. There is still insecurity in the country in Katsina, Plateau, Delta, Kaduna,Zamfara and other states of the federation.
“He should use his position to ensure that Fulanii Herdsmen, bandits and other criminal organizations are flushed out”.
“Nigerians in their various communities have been living with Fulani Herdsmen peacefully before now. They were not bearing guns let alone AK-47, which they now use to kill, kidnap, rob, maim and rape men and women.
“There have been strong insinuations that these lawlessness by Herdsmen and bandits was sponsored by the State but Gambari can advise the President to end this killings and save the nation from further bloodshed.”
The group said Gambari could change the current negative narrative if he so desired.
“The country is now divided between North and South, Moslem and Christians. He should strive to work hard to bridge the gap and build one united Nigeria” it added.
HURIDE also urged Prof. Gambari to ensure that henceforth appointments reflect the Federal principle character, geographical spread, ethnic and relgious configuration of the country inline with our extant laws and regulations.
It said Gambari should advise the President to bring to an end the marginalisation of Ndigbo, stressing that the zone is not represented in security and other key appointments in the country including spread of infrastructural development hence no single federal government industry is sited in the whole South East.
