The expanded National Security Council meeting between President Goodluck Jonathan and other stakeholders on Thursday unanimously condemned the governor of Adamawa state, Murtala Nyako over his recent letter in which he accused president Goodluck Jonathan of carrying out genocide against the north.
Nyako who was in attendance at the meeting was made to read the vexatious memo he had addressed to the Northern Governors Forum, to the enlarged security meeting presided over by Jonathan.
Sources at the meeting said Nyako’s letter attracted barrage of criticism from all the stakeholders that spoke and was consequently warned from making divisive comments henceforth.
Addressing state House Correspondents after the meeting, the Minister of Defence, Gen. Aliyu Gusau who was flanked by the governors of Niger, Abia, Borno and Ekiti states said the meeting enjoined all holders of Public offices to be wary of statements that are capable of exercebating the already precarious security situation in the country.
Gusau said the meeting, which was attended by state governors and heads of all military and paramilitary agencies, discussed the overall security in the country, which included the insurgency in the North-East, cattle rustling and kidnapping among others.
“The conclusion is that the Federal Government will do everything in its power in collaboration of states and local governments and everybody to see that we put it under control.
“Security is everybody’s business, it is not only the responsibility of government. Every individual should be security conscious,” the minister said.
Also governor Aliyu Babangida confirmed those who attended the meeting asked Nyako to read his widely-publicised memo to those in attendance which he did. At the end, they concluded that leaders must be cautious of what they said at these trying times,” he added.
“I am sure many of you will be curious about the memo written by one of us. We looked at it all. Infact he was allowed to read the memo to all of us and we discussed and concluded that for all of us, we need to be very careful with the kind of statement we make,” Babangida added.
Also speaking Abia state governor, Theodore Orji said, “The memo that was written by one of our colleagues, that is Governor Nyako of Adamawa State was discussed and there was a very unanimous condemnation of that memo.”
“All officers and people in positions of authority were advised to be cautious of what they say, that what they say should at least enliven every person and make us to know that this country belongs to all of us and not something that will demoralise us, not something that will excite of incite people to go the negative way.”
The enlarged National Security Council meeting kicked off at exactly 12.10 p.m. when President Goodluck Jonathan, stepped into the Council Chambers alongside Vice President Namadi Sambo.
Aside the governors of the states, the nation’s security chiefs were all present in a bid to find lasting solution to the current security challenges in the country that has left many killed, injured, displaced and kidnapped.
The governors in attendance include, Abia, Adamawa, Anambra, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Bauchi,Benue, Borno, Cross River, Ebonyi, Ekiti, Sokoto, Kaduna, Kwara, Taraba, Nasarawa, Kebbi, Niger, Ondo and Zamfara states.
The deputy governors present include Jigawa, Kano, Rivers, Yobe,Oyo, Edo, Plateau, Imo and Ogun states.
The two spiritual leaders in attendance were President of the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs and Sultan of Sokoto Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar as well as the President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor.
Others are Secretary to the Government of the Federation Senator Anyim Pius Anyim, Defence Minister, Lt-Gen Aliyu Gusau, National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd.), the Chief of Defence Staff Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh, the service chiefs, Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar, as well as, the Directors-General of the State Security Services and the National Intelligence Agency.
