Indigenous nationalities alliance lists six demands for Buhari as he departs for UN today

PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari has been presented with six demands by the Nigerian Indigenous Nationalities Alliance for Self-Determination (Ninas) as he departs for New York today to participate in the United Nations General Assembly.

Formed out of several self-determination groups, Ninas is planning a mega demonstration on September 24, the day President Buhari addresses the United Nations General Assembly. Today, President Buhari left Abuja for New York and just as he departed, Ninas listed the six demands they will be presenting before him in the US.

Ninas spokesman Maxwell Adeleye, listed the demands as the abolition of the 1999 constitution, the suspension of further elections, conducting a referendum, bringing about an end to Fulani genocide, ending the current oligarchy structure in Nigeria and the declaration of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigerian (Macban) as a terrorist organisation. He added that President Buhari will be confronted with these demands when he arrives in New York.

Ninas chairman Professor Banji Akintoye, added: “Rather than listen to the yearnings and aspirations of our people, the Buhari-led government has consistently waged war against people who attempt to checkmate the menace of Macban in the name of grazing cows. Our appeal to the government, therefore, is to address the issues raised in the December 16, 2020 Constitution Force Majure declared by Ninas.

"This appeal is necessary so that indigenous nationalities in Ninas territories can peacefully negotiate for what they want without further delay. Our demand remains the conducting of a referendum so that the indigenous people of the south and middle belt of Nigeria can lawfully and legally decide on their nationhood and sovereignty and we demand the immediate abolition of the imposed 1999 constitution.

“We demand an end to the genocide being perpetrated by Macban against our people as it is a terrorist group and it should be declared such by the United Nations. The invasion of our land in the name of grazing is enough.

"What is happening in our territories today is state-sponsored terrorism and land grab, not cow grazing. We shall resume the march on September 24, opposite the United Nations headquarters to tell President Muhammad Buhari to his face that his Miyetti Allah people are the enemy number one of the people of the south and middle belt and they are the authentic terrorists.”