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  • ACF, time to move beyond talk-shops

    ACF, time to move beyond talk-shops

    • By Muhammad Musa-Gombe

    At a time when Northern Nigeria is bleeding from insecurity, poverty, and despair, the leadership can no longer afford the comfort of conferences without consequences.

    When the Arewa Consultative Forum marked 25 years of existence in 2025, expectations across Northern Nigeria rose sharply. The celebration was not just about history or nostalgia. It came with the announcement of a development fund reportedly exceeding N10 billion, buoyed by substantial contributions from leading industrialists such as AbdulSamad Isiaka Rabiu of BUA Group and Aliko Dangote. For many northerners, it felt like a turning point, a long-awaited shift from speeches to solutions.

    Months later, that optimism has thinned. Rather than immediately engaging its vast constituency, rolling out sensitization programmes, or launching quick-impact projects capable of touching lives across the region, the ACF returned to familiar territory. Another talk-shop followed, this time reflecting on leadership 60 years after Sir Ahmadu Bello, Tafawa Balewa and Samuel Akintola.

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    While history deserves reflection, the timing unsettled many who believe the North needs action more urgently than remembrance.

    The sense of urgency is unmistakable. Across the North, communities are battling relentless insecurity. Farmers abandon their fields. Traders travel in fear. Children remain out of school in alarming numbers. Entire local economies are stifled by violence, displacement and poverty.

    In this environment, many northerners expected the ACF to seize its development fund as a tool for immediate relief and strategic intervention.

    Instead, silence greeted the public on what to expect, how the funds would be deployed, or which priority sectors would benefit. No broad communication. No regional sensitization. No visible low-hanging fruit projects to signal a new direction. For a region in distress, this pause feels costly and unsettling.

    The frustration is heightened by developments elsewhere in the country. In the Southwest, regional cooperation has moved beyond declarations into infrastructure planning, economic hubs, technology clusters and coordinated policy direction. States collaborate, pool resources and pursue long-term competitiveness. In the South-south, structured community engagement and development frameworks increasingly shape how interventions reach the grassroots. Even parts of the North-central are quietly building innovation hubs and targeted economic programmes to prepare young people for a digital future.

    Against this backdrop, the North appears to be lagging not in ideas but in execution.

    What makes the situation more troubling is that the North no longer enjoys the political luxury it once did. Demographic advantage without human capital has become a liability, not strength. Electoral numbers cannot compensate for weak productivity, poor negotiation leverage and diminishing moral authority. Regions that invest in ideas, data and delivery increasingly shape national outcomes, while those relying on sentiment and size alone are steadily side-lined.

    The ACF must confront an uncomfortable truth: relevance in modern Nigeria is earned through results, not reminiscence.

    This is not for lack of resources. The North has land, people, history and influence. It has goodwill from its sons and daughters in business, industry and public service. What it lacks, many argue, is a clear, time-bound development plan that translates concern into coordinated action.

    The ACF occupies a unique position in this equation. It is not a government, but it is also not a mere social club. It has access to policymakers, traditional institutions, private sector leaders and international partners. Its voice carries weight. Its convening power is respected. With that influence comes responsibility.

    Stakeholders are therefore asking simple but powerful questions. What is the roadmap for northern development between now and 2030? How will the development fund be used to complement federal and state efforts? Which sectors are priorities – education, agriculture, health, youth employment, security support or infrastructure? How will communities be engaged and results measured?

    These are not unreasonable demands. They are the expectations of a people under pressure.

    The danger of endless reflection is that it risks disconnecting leadership from lived reality. While conferences debate leadership decline, ordinary northerners are coping with hunger, fear and shrinking opportunities.

    While papers are presented, young people are leaving the region in search of dignity elsewhere.

    This moment therefore calls for humility as much as it calls for boldness. The forum must listen; especially to voices it has historically side-lined. Young professionals, civil society actors, women leaders, development experts and technocrats across the north are already doing hard work in silos. Harnessing this energy does not weaken traditional leadership; it strengthens it. The ACF does not need to abandon its elders or heritage. It needs to expand its tent, modernize its methods and accept that the north it seeks to lead today is not the north of 1965 or even 2000.

    To be clear, reflection and dialogue have their place. The legacy of the Sardauna and his contemporaries deserves study. But legacy becomes meaningful only when it inspires action. The greatest tribute to those leaders is not another symposium but bold programmes that lift people out of despair.

    What is required now are visible steps; small but impactful projects that restore confidence. Sensitization tours that explain plans and timelines. Strategic partnerships that unlock jobs and skills. Clear communication that reassures contributors and beneficiaries alike that development funds will not sleep in accounts while the region burns.

    The road to 2030 is short. Development does not happen by speeches alone. It happens through planning, implementation and accountability. The North cannot afford to drift while others move ahead with clarity and purpose.

    The ACF still has an opportunity to redefine its relevance. It can move from being remembered as a forum of speeches to being recognized as a catalyst for regional recovery. But that window will not remain open indefinitely.

    For millions across Northern Nigeria, the message is clear. This is not the time for more talk-shops. It is time for action.

    •Gombe is a media practitioner based in Abuja. Email: mlgombe@yahoo.com.

  • ACF@25: Gowon, Uba Sani, elders push for united front against insecurity

    ACF@25: Gowon, Uba Sani, elders push for united front against insecurity

    At the event climaxing the 25th anniversary of the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) on Saturday, Northern leaders have warned the region must urgently rebuild its unity and confront insecurity head-on or risk sliding into deeper turmoil.

    Former Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon, who served as the Chairman of the occasion, delivered a stern reminder that peace remains the North’s most precious but endangered asset.

    Gowon, who was represented by former Vice-President Mohammed Sambo, described unity, peace and harmony as the very oxygen required for development and collective dignity, saying that, the ACF was founded to champion moderation and national cohesion, insisting that those guiding principles must be restored as daily realities, not rhetorical slogans.

    According to Gowon: “Without unity we fracture. Without peace we stagnate,” he warned, noting that extremists continue to exploit divisions within northern communities.

    ACF Board of Trustees Chairman, Alhaji Bashir Dalhatu, said the forum emerged in 2000 to provide moral leadership as the North faced rising pressures—pressures that today have grown even more frightening.

    He cited repeated attacks, abductions and the killing of a senior military officer as proof that too many communities remain exposed to violent threats.

    “Government must find a way to end the violence rapidly. The consequences of failure, God forbid, are too frightening to contemplate,” Dalhatu stressed.

    He lamented the closure of hundreds of boarding schools due to insecurity, calling it a painful reflection of a region under siege and a generation at risk.

    Dalhatu urged deeper collaboration between traditional leaders, governors and security agencies, acknowledging current efforts but insisting “much more must be done.”

    Kaduna Governor Uba Sani, represented by Deputy Governor Dr Hadiza Balarabe, reaffirmed Kaduna’s commitment to sustaining peace, inclusion and rural transformation as non-negotiable pillars of development.

    He described Kaduna as the “historic centre of Northern identity,” adding that hosting the ACF headquarters is not just an honour but a solemn responsibility to shape the region’s future.

    Sani said his administration had embraced a leadership model rooted in inclusion, transparency, reconciliation and citizen participation—an approach he said was rebuilding trust across long-fractured communities.

    He outlined the Kaduna Peace Model, which integrates governance, security, urban planning, infrastructure and environmental reforms into what he called “one ecosystem of stability.”

    On security, he said improved intelligence coordination had reduced threats significantly and encouraged farmers to return to their farmlands under strengthened mechanisation and market-access programmes.

    The Governor listed expansions in healthcare, school enrollment, teacher support and tertiary institution upgrades, describing education as the bedrock of long-term peace and prosperity.

    He noted that 71 percent of Kaduna’s 2026 capital budget targets rural transformation and inclusive growth, reflecting the state’s focus on infrastructure, livelihoods and social inclusion.

    As the gathering closed, leaders agreed that the North’s future hinges on unity, decisive security action and sustained investment in people. The ACF, they declared, must continue as the intellectual engine driving the region toward peace, stability and shared progress.

  • ACF calls for collaboration to tackle challenges

    ACF calls for collaboration to tackle challenges

    The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), Kano State Chapter, has called for collaboration by all stakeholders in tackling Nigeria’s challenges.

    In his independence anniversary speech, Chairman, ACF Kano Chapter, Goni Faruk Umar, said the challenges before the country were formidable, including pervasive poverty, widespread unemployment, the scourge of insecurity, the menace of drug abuse, the decline in educational standards, and the erosion of moral values.

    He, however, noted that these adversities were not a sentence of despair, calling on all to commit to purposeful action.

    He said, “As a Forum consecrated to dialogue, unity, and service, the ACF asserts that our collective strength lies in our ability to build bridges across divides, nurture the potentials of our youth, and harness the abundant human and natural resources entrusted to us by Providence”.

    He added, “Sixty-five years ago, our visionary founding fathers, through uncommon courage and sacrifice, secured for us the priceless gift of sovereignty. They bequeathed a Nation consecrated to the ideals of liberty, dignity, and collective destiny.

    “Today, as we commemorate their triumph, we must not merely luxuriate in nostalgia but renew our sacred covenant to safeguard their legacy and bequeath to posterity a Nigeria worthy of their dreams.

    “The narrative of our Nation is one of resilience and renaissance; a people who, despite trials of adversity and the tremors of division, have remained indivisible and resolute. Yet, independence will find its truest expression not in ceremonial remembrance but in the tangible realities of peace, prosperity, equity, and justice for every citizen irrespective of creed, culture, or circumstance”.

    Umar called on parents and guardians to know that the crucible of Nigeria’s future is in their homes.

    “Guard your children, mentor them with love, and instil in them the virtues of discipline, honesty, and service. To our youth, we affirm: you are the pulsating heart of this Republic. Reject the snares of drugs and despair; embrace the path of knowledge, creativity, and productivity.

    “And to our leaders, we appeal: let integrity, vision, and statesmanship govern your stewardship, for history will measure us not by lofty rhetoric but by the lives we uplift and the destinies we transform.

    “The ACF Kano State Chapter remains unwavering in its resolve to empower communities, advance education, preserve our cultural heritage, and safeguard the peace and security of our people. We shall continue to be a voice of conscience, a pillar of unity, and a beacon of hope.

    “As we hoist our cherished green-white-green standard this day, let it be a solemn reminder that independence is not an end but an eternal journey of vigilance, sacrifice, and renewal,” Umar said.

  • ACF mourns victims of flood, road crash in Niger, Kano states

    ACF mourns victims of flood, road crash in Niger, Kano states

    The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has expressed deep sorrow over two recent tragedies that struck northern Nigeria, a deadly flood in Niger State and a fatal road accident in Kano State.

    According to the ACF, the flood in Niger state claimed about 150 lives, destroyed properties, and displaced many residents. 

    In Kano State’s Dakatsalle area, at least 20 people, including athletes, officials, and journalists returning from the National Sports Festival in Ogun State, lost their lives in a horrific road crash.

    In a statement signed by its national publicity decretary, Prof. Tukur Muhammad-Baba, the ACF said it was deeply saddened by the loss of lives and prayed for God’s comfort for the bereaved and quick recovery for the injured.

    The Forum also urged authorities to take disaster predictions seriously, recalling that it had previously raised concerns over the possibility of flooding in Niger State. 

    “We believe there is still time to prepare for such predictable events, even if they are beyond human control,” the statement added.

    The ACF prayed that such tragedies would not occur again in the affected states or anywhere else in the country.

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    The ACF however reiterated its call for adequate preparations by all concerned to minimize devastating consequences, urging public emergency agencies, aid organizations, and citizens to take necessary steps to prevent similar tragedies.

    “We call on citizens to observe sound environmental and hygienic practices, respect regulatory codes, laws, and regulations, unblock drainages and water channels, and desist from indiscriminate dumping of refuse in unauthorized places.”

    The Northern Socio-cultural group prayed that God Almighty continues to protect Nigerians from natural and human-induced calamities, noting that, as the nation mourns the lives lost, all stakeholders must work together to prevent future tragedies.

  • 2027: North’s population will determine winner of presidential election – ACF

    2027: North’s population will determine winner of presidential election – ACF

    The Board of Trustees (BOT) of the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has declared that the north possesses the population, land mass, and unified voice needed to determine the outcome of the 2027 presidential election.

    Rising from a meeting held on Wednesday in Kaduna, the BOT emphasised the region’s strategic political influence and said it would intensify scrutiny of politicians and policies affecting the North in the lead-up to the elections.

    In his opening remarks, BOT Chairman Alhaji Bashir M. Dalhatu (Wazirin Dutse) disclosed that elders across the north are urging the Forum to keep a close watch on political programmes and projects that have a meaningful impact on the region.

    The Forum also raised serious concerns about the deteriorating security situation in the North, describing it as alarming and urging the federal government to act decisively before the crisis worsens.

    Dalhatu further condemned the displacement of indigenous communities in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), criticizing the lack of compensation given to natives whose ancestral lands were taken for the development of the nation’s capital.

    “It is clear that Northern Nigeria is today bedevilled by numerous existential problems, some of which I have tried to highlight above. What is not in doubt is the fact that the North has in abundance what it takes to compete and prevail in any fair competition within the federation of Nigeria and even within the larger African continent.

    “The North has 19 out of the 36 states. We also have the FCT as a varitable component. We have a majority in the Senate, the House of Representatives, the National Economic Council, as well as the Council of States. The North occupies close to 75% of Nigeria’s land area and about 60% of the population. An area that is this big and this strong can never be subdued by any opponent, provided we remain united and place our region above all other considerations. No questions about it, united we stand, divided we fall!

    “The view has been expressed and it bears repeating here, that current preoccupation with the 2027 national elections is premature and a disservice to the principle of the 4-year-term-limit given to elected officials. For the moment, it will suffice to say that Northern Nigeria is watching and auditing the actions of the elected and appointed officials, especially at the federal level.

    “As a matter of fact, we have received a number of proposals from some of our elders that this body appoints a special committee that will conduct a detailed study and a review of the policies, projects and programs embarked upon by the current government and determine how they have impacted the various parts of the country, particularly Northern Nigeria.

    “This is perhaps the best way to determine whether or not our interests are being sufficiently accommodated. For the avoidance of doubt, we must reiterate our faith in the principle that says all politics is local. In other words, Northern Nigeria will remain faithful not to particular politicians or political parties but to those who care about our regional interests and are willing to promote and protect them”.

    The BOT also spoke on land grabbing in the North by southerners without allowing the same to happen to Northerners living in the southern part of the country.

    “The maltreatment and attacks on Northerners in the South are especially ironic and painful given the fact that, for centuries, the North has kept its doors wide open and welcomed people from all parts of Nigeria, courtesy of our unlimited hospitality and brotherhood. It is deeply regrettable, therefore, that Southerners have refused to reciprocate this noble gesture by the North. In fact, in many parts of the South, especially in the Southeast, a Northerner cannot expect to acquire one square foot of land, not to speak of owning any significant landed property.

    “The time has come for governors and legislators in the Northern states to carry through a comprehensive reform of the system of land ownership and control. The need for this reform is self-evident, especially given the current mad scramble for land in the North by foreigners. Authorities in the North must ensure that Northerners do not become landless in their own territory.

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    “As you all might have noticed, the growing hostility and hate mongering against Northerners in the South appears to be exacerbated by the current unequal and discriminatory policies of the federal government toward the North. These negative developments have prompted a growing disenchantment and disillusionment amongst Northerners against the Federation of Nigeria. Some in the North now openly question the rationale or justification for remaining in the union.

    “The law creating the FCT Abuja in 1976 specified a number of actions to be taken by the federal government as preconditions for the area to become the federal capital territory. One important condition was that the indigenous population within the area demarcated as FCT would be paid adequate compensation and relocated to the neighboring states that currently include present day Nasarawa, Niger, Plateau, Kogi and Kaduna.

    “It has been about 50 years since that law was passed, but the federal government has failed to adequately implement its provisions. As a matter of fact, and much to the regret of fair-minded Nigerians, the indigenous people of the FCT have been forcefully driven away from their ancestral land and rendered landless and homeless through no fault of theirs.

    “This injustice and maltreatment of the indigenous people of the FCT Abuja call for an urgent review. The time has come for Nigeria to fulfil its obligations towards the indigenous people of Abuja, including the creation of their state within the federation of Nigeria,” Dalhatu said.

  • JUST IN: ACF reinstates suspended chairman Osuman

    JUST IN: ACF reinstates suspended chairman Osuman

    The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), the prominent voice of Northern Nigeria, has lifted the suspension previously imposed on its Chairman of the National Executive Council (NEC), Chief Mamman Mike Osuman, SAN.

    The suspension had been placed over a statement attributed to Osuman, in which he was quoted saying the forum would only support northern candidates in the 2027 general election.

    A statement issued by ACF and signed by its Secretary General, Mal. Murtala Aliyu, confirmed that the matter had been resolved amicably, following the intervention of the forum’s Unity and Peace Reconciliation Committee.

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    The statement reads, “Sequel to the recent suspension of the Chairman of the National Executive Council of the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) Chief Mamman Mike Osuman, SAN, OFR, by the leadership of ACF over an alleged unauthorised political statement not in consonance with ACF’s non partisan position.

    “That the ACF Unity, Peace and Reconciliation Committee under the chairmanship of Dr Mahmoud Yayale Ahmed, CFR (Ajiyan Katagum) has intervened in the recent crisis. It had invited some stakeholders including the Chairman of the Board of Trustees and that of the National Executive

    Council among others and have had a family discussion on the unfortunate development.

    “Consequently, the issue has been amicably resolved ni the interest of the great people of Arewa and the suspension is hereby withdrawn” the statement reads.

  • ACF suspends Osuman over 2027 comment

    ACF suspends Osuman over 2027 comment

    AREWA Consultative Forum (ACF) Chairman Mamman Mike Osuman has been suspended.

    His suspension was announced by the Board of the pan-North’s socio-political group, barely 24 hours after the Osuma-led ACF National Executive Council (NEC) spoke of the group’s plan to back a North’s candidate for president in 2027.

    The region’s political future has created a gulf between the pro-North groups.

    Osuman was reported to have said that the region would be backing Northern candidates in 2027 after ACF NEC meeting on Wednesday.

    But in a swift response yesterday, the ACF Board said its NEC acted alone and without consultation.

    A statement by the BoT Chairman,  Bashir Muhammad Dalhatu, and National Secretary,  Murtala Aliyu, promptly announced Osuman’s suspension.

    It reads: “The attention of the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has been drawn to widely reported statements credited to Mr. Mamman Mike Osuman, SAN, OFR, Chairman, ACF National Executive Council (NEC), which we made during the meeting of the NEC, held on Wednesday, November, 2024, at ACF Headquarters, Kaduna.

    Read Also: ACF: Time for work, not distractions

    “In particular, Mr. Osuman was quoted as saying that the North will back a northern candidate for presidency, come 2027.

    “The statements were made by the NEC chairman without consulting or discussing with other leaders and members of the ACF and thus, reflected Mr. Osuman’s personal opinion only.

    “ACF rejects Mr. Mamman Mike Osuman’s statements in their entirety. For this reason, the leadership of the ACF’s Board of Trustees (BoT) and that of its NEC has decided to place Mr. Mamman Mike Osuman on suspension with immediate effect. A committee has been constituted for further investigations.”

    Osuman’s suspension came after yesterday’s visit to the ACF Kaduna Headquarters by members of the League of Northern Democrats (LND).

    The NLD sought partnerships with the ACF, Northern Eleders’ Forum (NEF) and the Middle Belt Forum (MBF) to change the political status quo.

    During the meeting with the ACF, LND Chairman, who was former Kano State governor, Senator Ibrahim Shekarau, described the engagement as the starting point of a transformative coalition for Northern Nigeria.

    He noted that fostering unity among these northern groups is crucial for achieving their shared vision of regional progress and leadership.

    Shekarau was represented by a former Transportation Minister, Ibrahim Isa Bio.

  • ACF: Time for work, not distractions

    ACF: Time for work, not distractions

    • By Ismaila Mohammed

    Sir: The recent declaration by the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) to back a northern presidential candidate in the upcoming 2027 general elections due to dissatisfaction with President Bola Tinubu’s economic policies did not surprise many Nigerians.

    The ACF, once a respected voice for the North, has become a shadow of its former self,  mere mouthpiece for a select few, rather than representing the entire region. Its leadership is often criticized for being disconnected from the realities faced by ordinary northerners, prioritizing their own power and influence over addressing critical regional issues.

    Former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El Rufai, previously criticized the ACF as a self-centred group lacking credibility and influence in elections, with members who have never experienced electoral success. Despite their lack of electoral influence, the ACF continues to push divisive agendas and promote parochial interests, rather than fostering unity and progress.

    ACF reminds one of the pangs of a dying behemoth. ACF does not speak for the North. While it is its right to decide who to vote for come 2027, it cannot take that decision on behalf of the northern people. Politically sophisticated and with a mind of their own, northerners must be respected to make their choice and not to be ambushed by a pseudo political association. 

    While the ACF has been vocal in its criticisms, it has failed to offer meaningful solutions to the North’s challenges such as poverty, illiteracy, insecurity, and unemployment. In contrast, President Bola Tinubu has initiated programmes and policies aimed at improving the socio-economic well-being of Nigerians, including distributing palliatives, supporting small businesses, and empowering women.

    Recent government efforts in neutralizing notorious bandit leaders like Sububu, Alin Kasai and dozens of kingpins have shown progress in addressing security threats in the region.

    However, the ACF’s focus on political agendas has overshadowed its responsibilities in social and economic development. ACF should stop the habit of imputing ethnic bias into the administration’ policies. All Nigerians are making the sacrifices needed due to the ongoing reforms. 

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    ACF and its leadership should apply themselves to what is going on and the efforts and impact of Tinubu administration reform agenda on the people. For instance, N24.78bn has been disbursed and so far under the National Cash Transfer programme to 991,261 poor households as part of efforts to alleviate poverty. The cash transfer initiative is spearheaded by the National Social Investment Programme Agency with beneficiaries across all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory. There is a N200bn intervention funds – the Presidential Conditional Grant Scheme (PCGS), which provides N50,000 grant to nano-business owners, especially women and young people, withN38.8 billion disbursed to 774,593 beneficiaries from all the local government areas (LGAs) across the country.

    There is also the N75bn Presidential conditional grant and loan scheme targeting over 75,000 Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises across the country. It is offering a maximum of N1 million per beneficiary at a nine percent interest rate. The initiative is also expected to provide over 75,000 direct jobs and 150,000 indirect jobs nationwide. Bank of Industry recently announced the opening of the portal for applications for this Presidential Grants and Loan Scheme for MSMEs nationwide.

    The Manufacturing Sector Fund – N75 billion Fund offers support to eligible manufacturing businesses, with each beneficiary receiving up to N1 billion at a comparable interest rate.  Other areas include tax reforms, investment in infrastructure, floating the naira to eliminate the need to deplete the foreign reserve for artificially shoring up the value of the currency.

    As younger generations seek new voices and platforms to express their aspirations, the ACF’s relevance and influence are diminishing. Without significant transformation, the organization risks becoming obsolete, marred by its failures and shortcomings.

    •Ismaila Mohammed,

    Kaduna.

  • North should blame its leaders, not Tinubu, for under-development – ACF

    North should blame its leaders, not Tinubu, for under-development – ACF

    The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), the voice of Northern Nigeria, has stated that the region’s socio-economic challenges and underdevelopment should be attributed to its leaders rather than President Bola Tinubu. 

    Speaking on Wednesday at the Forum’s National Executive Council (NEC) meeting, ACF Chairman Mamman Mike Osuman acknowledged that some of President Tinubu’s policies may be unpopular in the North.

    However, he emphasised that the primary responsibility for the region’s plight lies with its leaders. 

    Osuman also addressed the formation of a new Northern group, which includes some members of the ACF.

    He advised the group to focus on impactful initiatives that begin with addressing the region’s internal challenges. 

    The ACF Chairman said: “I do admit that some policies of the current administration are repugnant and adverse to our interests as a Region. ACF believes that certain policies and behaviours of our leaders within our Region need some critical evaluation

    “It is in that vein that I raise the following questions; to what extent are our elected leaders demonstrating prudence and concern for our domestic and environmental problems, and to what extent are our Governors and legislators synergizing with our traditional leaders in combating ills that exist within our Region, to the extent that some of our sons, daughters, sisters and brothers are sometimes criminis participis in the disquiet, ills and crimes that torment us in our region, what are we (Leaders of thought and stakeholders) doing towards arresting their evil trend and propensities.

    “Have our parents, religious teachers and the elites initiated an orientation and public awareness that will educate our people on the need for self-defence and self-preservation? Illegal mining by foreigners aided by our people exists in some states. What local strategies are on the ground towards arresting this vice?

    “It is not in doubt that the North is currently under siege. Our dear Region is not only being viciously attacked by bandits, terrorists and kidnappers but also by sinister devices like disproportionate considerations and inequitable treatment.

    “Not long ago, I received an invitation from a new body called League of Northern Democrats. Attached to the invitation were seven (7) pages wherein were listed 260 names most of whom were former Governors, Senators and known great sons and daughters from the North. I have read the objectives of the League of Northern Democrats.

    “I commend the conveners of the Meeting. I respect and appreciate their objectives which I must say, are not a deviation from that of ACF.

    “Their cause is worthy. My view is that while they tinker with the overall political issues that threaten our survival in our Region, this still remains an auspicious time to look inwards.

    “To avoid being misunderstood, the progenitors of this brilliant concept should organize symposia where current travails that depress and make lives unbearable in our Region are stultifying education and economic growth.

    “I have taken pains to bear my mind here because (a) I, ACF Chairman was invited and (b) within the 260 listed members, are a few names of ACF members. Should their ultimate focus be for the year 2027, I humbly and respectfully recommend that their well-thought-out charities should begin now, and at home.

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    “The new regenerated and rejuvenated ACF is resolved to serve our downtrodden brothers, sisters, and parents who currently are on the receiving ends of evil men and women classified as bandits and murderers. We are also determined to ensure that they are respected and served.

    “To that end, ACF must be their voice and the source of their confidence. It is in this vein that ACF has expanded its infrastructure to include an ACF Radio. We will through our ACF Radio constantly communicate not only with our people but also speak to prospective benefactors and governments.

    “Since my investiture as Chairman of ACF on 12th December 2023, my colleagues and I in ACF have witnessed a phenomenal growth in the quality and its new number of distinguished sons and daughters from the North”. Osuman stated.

  • ACF rejects planned nationwide protests

    ACF rejects planned nationwide protests

    The apex northern social-cultural group, Arewa Consultation Forum (ACF) has distanced itself from the planned August 1 nationwide protest against hardship in the country, cautioning that it could lead to destruction of lives and property and undermine the progress in the northern region.

    ACF alleged the protest, which is being promoted and organised by some anonymous groups may be aimed to cause disruption which may be counter productive.

    A statement by the National Publicity Secretary, on Tuesday, Prof. TA Muhammad-Baba said it was unthinkable that the millions of Nigeria that feed from meagre daily earnings can sustain a close down of up to ten days.

    According to the statement, none of the reasons for the planned action directly addresses the north’s most pressing current challenge: debilitating insecurity which lingers unsolved and continues to wreak havoc on citizens.

    ACF however acknowledged that Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution and other universal/international conventions, guarantee citizens inalienable rights to express grievances over living conditions and aspirations, including freedom of assembly, demonstration and protests.

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    ACF also acknowledged the current existential challenges that Nigerians live with are dire, made more glaring by the profligate, insensitive and ostentatious life styles and attitudes of Nigeria’s elected representatives and other public officials, which has resulted in palpable despair, and widespread anger for ordinary citizens.

    However, ACF expressed fear about the goals of the proposed protest cannot support it. “There has been no robust engagement with representatives of the people over accountability and good governance, as for, example, with state governors, members of the National and state assemblies.

    “What is discernible from the justification and demands from the promoters of the protests are largely incoherent, and poorly articulated with their likelihood of success very doubtful.”

    ACF stated that under the circumstances, a rush to protest will be counterintuitive, disruptive and counterproductive. “ACF therefore unequivocally rejects the call for participation in such a course of action and calls on the people of the North to decline participation”. 

    The Forum called on all authorities, at the local government, state and federal levels, to urgently address obvious shortcomings in current approach to public policy-making and implementation, as such will alleviate the dire existential conditions that Nigerian citizens live with.