VANGUARD: National newsreel

THURSDAY, 26TH APRIL, 2001

I Abacha's ex-MILADs, cronies form party







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By Leon Usigbe

KADUNA - LOYALISTS of the late Gen. Sani Abacha, mainly former military administrators under his regime, have floated a political association known as United Nigeria Development Forum (UNDF).

The protein national chairman of the forum which met in Kaduna on Wednesday is former military administrator of Kaduna State, Brigadier General Lawal Jafaru Isa (rtd).

His colleagues in the National Steering Committee include Col. Pam Ogar (rtd), Col. U. F. Ahmed (rtd), Col. Musa Mohammed (rtd), Col. A. I. Kontangora (rtd), Brigadier Gen. Y. Muazu (rtd), Col. J. P. Ubah (rtd), Col. Lt. I. Shuaibu (rtd), Group Captain J. I. Orji (rtd) and retired Assist Inspector General of Police (AIG), Alhaji Dabo Aliyu.

Others are Group Captain B. O. Mosugu (rtd), Col. Musa Shehu (rtd), Col. Shehu Ibrahim (rtd), Col. Joseph Akaagerger (rtd) and Col. Emma Obimakozi (rtd).

The steering committee also has in its fold Dr. Harison Bungon, Dr. Rufai Ahmed Alkali, Alhaji Tijani Zango Daura, Mallam Mohammed Lawal, Dr. Ladi Hamalai, Oba I. Ogungbela, Alhaji Abdukali Rais, Chief Ahmed Ibn Anyamikegh, Mr. John Ogbu, Mrs Kaltumi Abdulahman, Mr. Mataimaki Tom Maigyashi, among others.

There is also Col. Yohaha Dickson, another ex-state chief executive, Group Captain Rufai Garba, Professor David Oruem, Hajia Kaka Yusuf, Hajia Mairo Habib, etc.

The protem chairman addressed the press on Wednesday on the mission statement of the forum which he claimed was formed last year by a group of highly patriotic and committed Nigerians from various parts of the country. General Isa painted a gory picture of the crises which have taken place in the country since the advent of democratic government, especially the sharia related riots in Kaduna.

He observed that these happened in the year 2000 which was being celebrated around the world with fanfare being the close of the 20th century.

General Isa stated that the year 2000 ought to have offered Nigerians more hope and opportunities especially as the nation had fully transited to democracy saying that the apparent lack of peace and tranquility has put the country at a standstill.

He stated: "Our mission is to create and foster enabling environment for the development of our communities and our nation through building bridges and establishing nation-wide linkages with various individuals and groups with similar interest in order to advance forward and sustain our dear country on the path of human dignity, human development, human progress and human happiness.

"We were motivated and encouraged to come together under the umbrella of UNDF because we were convinced that Nigeria with its vast human and natural resources, with its rich and diverse cultures with its active citizens offers hope and promise of a land of abundance and opportunities.

"Our mission statement is therefore not only to move Nigeria forward, but also to rediscover ourselves and our values, to chart a new course for our nation, to set out new national standards, to open new vistas of progress for our peoples, to take a great leap in our development efforts, and to push our country to greater heights in the comity of nations.

"We believe all Nigerians share with us the common concern about the persistent political instability in the country, about the deep and pervasive poverty and hunger in the midst of plenty, about widening gap between the rich and the poor, about growing unemployment and underemployment about the frequent and escalating cases of inter-ethnic and religious conflicts, about the rising crimes and politically-motivated assassination, about absence of transparency and accountability in governance, about the growing disillusionment among our people on the future direction of our country.

"In this regard, members of the UNDF are convinced that the persistent calls for Sovereign National Conference, the frequent calls for restructuring of the federation, the agitation for resource control by some states in the country, the demands for the return of the police force to state, and the familiar cries of neglect and marginalization from various sections of the country can all be traced to the deep seated resentment, discontent and anger among Nigerians arising from unfulfilled hopes and expectations from the Nigerian state over the years," General Isa remarked.

The chairman declared that the UNDF would work with other regional associations including Afenifere, Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), Ohanaeze Ndigbo, among others.

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VANGUARD : Transmitted THURSDAY, 26TH APRIL, 2001