BY INALEGWU SHAIBU
ABUJA — Former Senators and House of Reps members, under the aegis of Non-Serving Northern Legislators Network, NSNLN, have condemned the growing insecurities across the northern states which have resulted in death of thousands of Nigerians.

The non-serving Federal legislators in a statement by its Chairman, Umaru Tsauri and Secretary, Timothy Adudu, while lamenting the break down of securities in Plateau, Bauchi and Borno states, blamed the frequent crisis and violence in the north on politicians who they accused of disrupting the peace and unity of the north through religious and ethnic sentiments.

Demanding an end to violence in the north, the ex-lawmakers said: “We can no longer continue to watch as the region continues to be rocked by violent crisis, political disunity and high sense of insecurity.”

They lamented that the unending political and tribal crises rocking various parts of the north was affecting the development of the region, noting that it negated the ideals of the founding fathers of the north.

The statement read: “The dreams and visions of the founding fathers of  Northern Nigeria, led by Sir Ahmadu Bello,  Saduana of Sokoto, was to realise one indivisible Northern Nigeria and they succeeded and left a legacy of a united and indivisible Northern Nigerian devoid of tribal sentiments, religious intolerance and political violence.”

“However, the political development witnessed in the north today has raised serious concerns. Today, the worst is happening; in fact, the peak has been reached in terms of breakdown of law and order in the once peaceful and united region.

“The heightened unwarranted and avoidable killings in the north today especially in Borno and Plateau states are a pointer to the collapse of the cherished ideals of the north and this is having serious negative consequences on the social, political and economic fortunes of the north.

“We strongly believe that if the objectives of the Network are pursued, the north will not only rediscover itself, it will certainly come out of the political rot and reposition itself in the orbit of political consolidation and maturity.”

The former legislators urged leaders and all stakeholders in the region to evolve means that would end hostilities in the north and return the region to its original status of political pacesetter in the country, characterized by selfless leadership, egalitarian justice, oneness, tolerance, mutual respect and love as well as harmonious co-habitation among the people.