The Arewa Consultative Forum, ACF, has kicked against the proposed na­tionwide rally, ostensibly to galvanise support for President Goodluck Jonathan ahead of the 2015 presidential election.
The group made this known in a statement issued yesterday, in Ka­duna and signed by its Publicity Sec­retary, Mohammed Ibrahim.
Reacting to the series of advertise­ments in electronic and print media, by the Transformation Ambassadors of Nigeria (TAN ), on the planned political rally, expected to take place in the six geo-political zones of the country, the ACF noted that Nigeria and Nigerians are certainly not in the mood for such jamboree.
According to ACF, “the situation in the country does not call for cel­ebration and political rally in support of any cause or any political office holder at this material time of secu­rity, social and health challenges.
“Moreover. INEC is yet to lift the ban on political rallies as per the pro­visions of our constitution and the Electoral Act.”
“The members of TAN are certain­ly entitled to their fundamental rights of association and free movement in any part of Nigeria as guaranteed in the constitution.
“However, the present mood of the nation in the face of insecurity and daily attacks on innocent souls by Boko Haram insurgents in the North, ritual killings in the West, kidnapping of prominent persons in the South South and armed robbery in the East and the sudden entry of Ebola virus through one Mr. Sawyer calls for sober reflection, prayers and support to confront the challenges rather than the solidarity rally being planned by TAN.
“Towns and villages are being wiped out, innocent people including security personnel are being attacked and killed on daily basis in Borno, Adamawa and Yobe states which have been under emergency rule in the last 14 months.
“The Federal and states govern­ments combined efforts in tackling the security challenges are yet to achieve the desired results and some Nigerians are busy planning solidar­ity rallies.
“The over 200 Chibok girls kid­napped 120 days ago are still in captivity which another 100 young men have recently been kidnapped at Baga, Borno State, young girls are being used as suicide bombers, prominent persons are being killed or kidnapped for ransom, Damboa, Gwoza and many towns in Borno and Yobe states are being occupied by insurgents and Ebola virus is tak­ing its toll on those who had primary or secondary contacts with the prime victims.
“The daily killing of security per­sonnel and innocent souls by insur­gents, destruction of property and displacement of 400,000 persons due to insurgency in the North East coupled with the current health chal­lenges of Ebola virus are all issues of concern to all.
“Nigerians at this time need to unite and support government efforts in tackling the challenges.
 

Nigerians not in mood for pro–Jonathan rally, declares ACF