Arewa group threatens to expose sponsors of protests against President

In a statement released by the group's national president, Gambo Ibrahim Gujungu, on Wednesday, August 9, 2017, the group blamed the protests on collusion between Southwest politicians and some Northern governors.

It further promised that the parties involved in the collusion will be exposed if the protests do not end soon.

The statement read, "Let it be known that we are not unmindful of what is happening in Nigeria. We know those that are behind the protest against the President, as a group we are giving them 7 days to call their attack dogs to order or we will have no option than to expose them.

''For the avoidance of doubt, we are aware that Southwest politicians are behind the plot, they are colluding with some Northern governors and some elements of the presidency who do not wish the country and President Muhammadu Buhari well. But their time is ticking.

''The funny thing about these northern governors is that many of them won their elections on the back of President Buhari, we wonder why they are now interested in themselves and very ready to sell the man who is their benefactor for a plate of porridge.

''It is the same situation that happened during the late Umaru Musa Yar'adua that wants to repeat itself. But instead of fighting for the region, these governors are busy holding nocturnal meetings and negotiating for the position of Vice President, but we will soon expose them."

The group also mentioned Ekiti state governor, Ayodele Fayose as a tool being used to wage a war against the president.

The governor has been one of the most outspoken critics against President Buhari's administration, and that has only gotten worse since the president flew to London over three months ago to resume treatment for an undisclosed illness.

The Chairman of the People's Democratic Party (PDP)'s Governors' Forum has accused Buhari's administration of dealing dubiously with the Nigerian public, especially on the health of the president.

ALSO READ: Governor insists Buhari is breathing with machine

In June, Fayose had alleged that the President had been on a life support machine and later threatened, weeks later, to release 11 pictures that proved the President's poor state of health.

His unending stream of attacks against the president has earned the governor serious backlash from many quarters.

The Arewa statement read, ''A Governor from the South West, Ayodele Fayose is being used for their crusade against the President, but our northern governors are only murmuring in their chambers afraid to confront him.

''But let it be known that as people committed to the emancipation of the north and the unity and development of the country as a whole, we cannot be cowed into silence by anybody.

''We know that it is the fundamental rights of every Nigerian to protest, but protest must have a human face.

''We believe that President Buhari has done the right thing by handing over power to the acting President Yemi Osinbajo who has been discharging his duties without hindrance.

''Those behind the scenes beating the drums of political discord should watch their steps. We are unto them.''

On Thursday, August 10, protesters in Abuja marched for the fourth straight day against the president's continued absence from the country.

The sit-out protest against the absentee president started with the "Our Mumu Don Do" movement led by entertainer and activist Charles Oputa (Charly Boy), who marched from Unity Fountain down to the Presidential Villa.

On Tuesday, the group, alongside "Concerned Nigerians" group, led by former social media director of the People's Democratic Party (PDP), Deji Adeyanju, were attacked by the police when officers fired gas canisters and water cannons to dismiss them.

ALSO READ: Police attack protesters against President with teargas, water cannons

A protester was injured and had to be rushed to the Federal Staff Clinic Federal Secretariat, while Charly Boy also fainted due to the attack.

Despite Tuesday's setback, the group marched again in Abuja on Wednesday with renewed strength in numbers.

The protesters' full demands are: "that the president either personally or through his aides make the true detail of his health known to all Nigerians; that president should address all Nigerians in a language we can all understand on the true state of his health and other national issues; that he returns to the country and resume work as president of Federal Republic of Nigeria in order to lead us out economic and security quagmire we have been pushed into as a nation; if President Buhari fails, refuses and/ or neglect to do any of the above , then he should resign from office; if he fails to honourably resign, then he should be impeached from office by the national assembly."

ALSO READ: Protesters demand President's return or resignation

President Buhari left the country on May 7 to resume treatment in London for an undisclosed illness, leaving Acting President Yemi Osinbajo in charge of the country's affairs.

The president and his team have insisted that his return is imminent, but there has been no confirmed date.