Arewa Youths Leader Highlights Northern Plight in Constitution Debate

• Shettima Yerima warns southern leaders against unfairly targeting the North in discussions about the flawed constitution
• Yerima urges specificity, advocating for identifying individuals responsible for mismanagement rather than making sweeping generalizations

Shettima Yerima, President of the Arewa Youth Consultative Forum (AYCF), cautioned southern leaders against unfairly targeting the Northern region in discussions about the flawed constitution.

Expressing concern, Yerima noted that Southern leaders habitually criticized the North during debates advocating for a change in the 1999 constitution, seemingly neglecting the North’s involvement in the struggle.

Yerima emphasized the need for specificity in addressing issues, urging leaders to identify individuals responsible for mismanaging the system rather than making sweeping generalizations.

He voiced his unease over the tendency of some leaders to collectively blame the entire North, despite many Northerners being victims of the system.

Yerima highlighted his connection to the South, emphasizing his upbringing, education, and involvement in the struggle, indicating a shared history and understanding.

He argued for the decentralization of the central government, advocating for a shift away from the current centralized system, which he deemed unsustainable.

Yerima stressed the importance of decentralization in reducing the allure of the central government, ultimately aiming for a more balanced and equitable distribution of power.