By NAN

The Coalition of Northern Groups (CNG) has called for the sustenance of the nation’s democracy, stressing the need for students and youths in the country to stand up and rescue the democracy.

The call is contained in a statement issued by the spokesman for the group, Abdul-Azeez Suleiman, in Abuja.

According to the statement, Suleiman spoke at the Benue Edition of the Maitama Sule Leadership Lecture Series organised by the Students Wing of the Group.

“God fatherism and lack of internal party democracy have become the major factors militating against democratic consolidation in Nigeria by the political parties which are plagued by internal wrangling, littered with factions and mired in leadership crises.

“I called on students and youths to stand up and rescue our democracy from unpatriotic and undemocratic politicians in the country. This is the only way we can truly enjoy dividends of democracy,” Suleiman said.

The lead paper presenter, Dr Nyor Gabriel Azah of the Benue State University, said the wellbeing of any political system is dependent on sincerity, fairness, equality and other ingredients that ensure cooperation among the citizenry.

Azah encouraged the students to participate in the process of selecting those to assume leadership positions in the country by making rational choices.

The statement quoted the Chairman of the Occasion, Dr Hyacinth Alia, a  Roman Catholic Priest of the Gboko Diocese, as urging the students to demand accountability from their leaders and imbibe the culture of speaking truth to them.

Similarly, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the CNG, Nastura Shariff, justified the naming of the lecture series after the late Amb. Maitama Sule.

He restated CNG’s gratitude to the late Dan Masamin Kano, for his leadership, statesmanship and unwavering commitment to the interests of the people of Northern Nigeria. (NAN)