The Arewa Youth Consultative Forum (AYCF) and the Northern Emancipation Network (NEN) have voiced their opposition to the demands by the United Nigerians in the Diaspora (UND) for the resignation of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Chairman Professor Mahmoud Yakubu.
UND had threatened protests in major global cities to push for Yakubu’s removal. However, AYCF President General Yerima Shettima and NEN Chairman Suleiman Abbah issued a joint statement denouncing the move as a sponsored scheme to undermine INEC’s achievements and Nigeria’s democratic stability. They urged strong resistance against such attempts.
The AYCF and NEN asserted that the campaign seemed part of a broader agenda to discredit Nigerian institutions and reverse the populist direction of President Bola Tinubu’s administration. They emphasized the importance of safeguarding democracy and defending the reputations of those dedicated to ensuring free and fair elections. Additionally, they accused certain individuals in the diaspora of using foreign platforms to propagate hate speech and incite discontent against Nigeria.
Both groups condemned such behavior and called on the international community to prevent their platforms from being exploited for malicious purposes. They highlighted the existence of laws in countries like the United Kingdom and the United States prohibiting hate speech and incitement to violence, expressing surprise at the lack of action against UND’s threats.
The northern groups reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to maintaining friendly relations with international partners but criticized UND’s actions as unpatriotic and aimed at undermining the country’s peace and unity.
