ABEOKUTA– A group, Northern Youth Leaders Forum (NYLF) has raised concerns over the proposed negotiation between the federal government, with the American and French governments to set up a military base in the country.
Speaking with newsmen in Abeokuta, the Ogun state capital, Wednesday, the president of the group, Comrade Afiyo Elliot stated that allowing this would do no good to Nigeria as a country, adding that there were some alleged criminal activities of these foreign countries against Nigeria.
” We have convincing reasons, undeniable evidence, and facts that the Federal government has been negotiating with these governments to relocate their Military Bases from Niger Republic to Nigeria precisely Sokoto or Kebbi State as a way of compensating and assuaging the American and French government for inability of Nigeria to mobilize the Ecowas for a military onslaught or attack against Niger Republic”
“Though the Minister for Information and National Orientation has denied this plan. We want to reiterate our total opposition to this plan and urge the Federal Government to discontinue with immediate effect.
“We want to state clearly that, 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”.
“We also want to state clearly that 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”, he said
Elliot also raised concerns with the political scheming in the opposition parties, especially in the People’s Democratic Party (PDP ), noting that they are heading toward the destruction of the party and consequently silencing the opposition.
He faulted that the nation is sliding into a dictatorial state through a one party system, while calling for the concern of Nigerians irrespective of tribe, religion, geo-political or party affiliation to ensure that the planned destruction of the opposition parties is completely halted, and curtailed.
