The North East Coalition for Truth, Justice and Responsible Leadership has dismissed as fabricated a letter purportedly written by a group claiming to represent Borno State internally displaced persons in Kano State.
The coalition, in a statement signed by its Chairman, Alhaji Abba Chima, described the group behind the letter as a “faceless” organisation allegedly attempting to exploit the plight of displaced persons for political purposes.
The statement, titled, “Our Response to the Fabricated Letter from the So-Called Borno IDPs Welfare Group in Kano,” argued that there was no officially recognised Internally Displaced Persons camp in Kano State.
The coalition said, “It is a matter of public record that there is no officially registered IDP camp in Kano State.”
It added that the Borno State Government, under Governor Babagana Zulum, had embarked on the closure of IDP camps and the resettlement of displaced persons in their ancestral communities.
According to the group, “A group claiming to speak for IDPs from a location where no such camps exist is not a welfare group. It is a political front.”
The coalition further alleged that the letter was sponsored as part of an attempt to discredit former Borno State Governor and Senator, Ali Modu Sheriff, over his political activities.
Defending Sheriff, the group said his record in public service was established, noting that he had served at various levels of government and mentored political leaders across the North-East and Nigeria.
“Senator Ali Modu Sheriff’s record is not up for negotiation. He has served this nation for over two decades at the highest levels of governance,” the statement said.
The coalition also described Sheriff’s appointment as North-East Zonal Campaign Coordinator as a recognition of his political experience, network and contributions to the region.
It said those opposed to his appointment should channel their grievances through legitimate political processes rather than anonymous communications purportedly issued on behalf of displaced persons.
The group, however, alleged that it knew those behind the disputed letter and warned that their identities and alleged sponsors would be made public if the campaign continued.
“We know who is behind this. The sponsors of this smear campaign have mistaken our silence for weakness. They are wrong,” the statement said.
The coalition added, “We have the names and the networks. We are giving fair warning: withdraw this letter and cease this campaign of calumny against Senator Sheriff and the North-East.”
NECTJRL said it would not engage in prolonged exchanges over the matter, describing the disputed letter as a political fabrication.
“NECTJRL will not engage in a back-and-forth with a ghost. We will not dignify fabrications with endless rebuttals. This statement is our first and last word on the matter,” it said.
The coalition also urged residents of the North-East and Nigerians generally to reject what it described as the politicisation of the plight of displaced persons.
“Our people have suffered enough. Their displacement is not a costume for political theatre. Their pain is not a prop for campaign strategists in Kano or elsewhere,” the statement said.
It called on members of the public to “stand with truth” and reject what it described as attempts to exploit the suffering of displaced persons for political gain.