The plans by the umbrella body of northern Nigeria, Arewa Consultative Forum, to jettison the planned walk out of the National Conference, if the agenda of the conference does not address issues that
affect the North, seems to have been reawakened Wednesday at the confab as northern delegates threatened a walk out over the unresolved issue of mode of voting.
His Royal Highness, Dr. Muhammadu Barkindo Mustapha, Lamido of Adamawa, dropped the bomb shell immediately the delegates settled for the day’s business.
Justice Idris Kutigi, asked for comments on whether the conference would call for memoranda from the public on the assignment of the conference, Mustapha sidetracked the issue to deliver what some delegates described as “an attempt to frighten the south.”
Dr. Mustapha’s comment, a delegate said “may have been rehearsed at a meeting a group of northern delegates held last night.”
The royal father warned those who cared to listen that they should not be pushed to the wall.
He threatened that if they are pushed to the wall they would simply walk out of the conference.
Apparently to underscore the point he was making Dr. Mustapha declared that when they walk out there would be great consequences for the country.
Some delegates who could not stomach what the Adamawa royal father was saying attempted to shout him down but he was not deterred.
Even when the shout of “no, no, no” persisted, Mustapha was not dissuaded.
At first, the Chairman of the conference attempted to call him to order but later urged him to continue.
The royal father made it clear that he was sounding a “note of warning” before it is too late.
He noted that it is obvious that if the country breaks up many of those shouting him down would have no place to run to.