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Tag: ACF

  • What we expect from govt in New Year, by Nigerians

    What we expect from govt in New Year, by Nigerians

    Nigerians are looking forward to a new year in which the political class will turn a new leaf and live up to the expectations of the electorate.

    They also expect the youth to get ready to take their destiny in their hands as the 2015 elections draw nearer.

    Opinion leaders and organisations across the country told The Nation in separate interviews that things must start to work in favour of Nigeria and Nigerians in the New Year.

    The northern socio-political organisation, Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), says the youths should stop complaining about leadership failure and get ready to use their numerical strength to vote for people who are willing to meet their aspirations.

    Also, the forum wants the government to give the people a budget that will address the mirage of problems facing the nation and address corruption which is eroding the nation’s goodwill.

    Spokesman of the forum, Anthony Sani said: “Nigerians expect government to have a budget whose implementation will assume full responsibility for real issues of real concern to real Nigerians by way of addressing corruption that has distorted national ideals and national values, thereby stealing the empowerment, the opportunity and the future of most Nigerians.

    “We hope the budget will address specific areas such as unemployment, poverty, illiteracy, infant and maternal mortality rates and life expectancy.

    “Since only people who are healthy can undertake productive socio-economic activities, health deserves some attention.

    “Also, agriculture which can ensure not just food security and inspire reduction of imports can be a source of employment. This is because food imports not only compromise food security, it outsources employment. Power and energy are essential for industrial development and so should receive attention of the budget just as education is expected to do.

    The ACF spokesman stressed the need for government to address insecurity to stop criminals from hiding behind religion and ethnicity to perpetrate evil.

    Chief Ayo Adebanjo, Afenifere leader, wants the planned national conference to be a priority in 2014 because, in his view, it address the numerous problems the country is facing.

    “The need to bring all the ethnic components in the country to dialogue with one another is key to solving the problems plaguing the country. So I see the confab as a platform that would address all the issues militating against the progress of Nigeria,” he said.

    “The convocation of a national conference is at the core of the problems plaguing the country. It would help to fashion out a workable document that would assist in the management of the country and there is the need to get it done, so that the country would stop the yearly ritual of constitutional amendment.

    “The next election should be held on the basis of the new constitution. That is fundamental. We should not go into election on the basis of the current constitution.”

    Governor Peter Obi of Anambra State hopes Nigerian leaders will be more selfless, committed and dedicated to the common good of society.

    He wants politicians to shun greed and take full responsibility for their actions in office hence the need for them to be mindful of their actions while in office.

    Leaders, according to him, should also be sincere and fair in their criticism of those in authority and be proactive monitoring projects being executed by government.

    Prominent businessman and Publisher of the defunct Third Eye newspapers, Chief Akanni Aluko, a former Secretary to Oyo State Government and current Chairman, Odua Investment Company, Sarafadeen Ali, and an Ibadan traditional Chief , Oloye Lekan Alabi prayed for peace in the new year.

    Aluko tasked government to invest in all that would ensure credible, free and fair election in 2015 with a view to avoiding crisis.

    He charged politicians to conduct themselves peacefully in 2014, adding that “it is better to jaw jaw than to war war .”

    Alabi said that like many other citizens his expectation is for a brighter year.

    “The citizens will expect a better performance from public power supply companies, further development of the railway system and construction, rehabilitation and repairs of majors either at local, state and federal government levels. And greater security of lives and property,” he said.

    But he also asked Nigerians to fulfill their social obligations by paying their taxes , supporting government and picking on those in government where and when they fail to meet their expectations.

    However, he said such should be done without resort to violence.

    The Odua Investment Company Chairman, Ali said government should, more than ever before, strive to meet the yearnings of the masses and ensure that they impart positively on the lives of the masses.

     

    Prominent politician and Igbo leader, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, said Nigerians expect the Federal Government to tackle corruption, rising unemployment and insecurity in 2014.

    “Corruption is so high in Nigeria and we expect the Federal Government in 2014 to take the fight against corruption to the base,” he said. “The fight must not be limited to the political class because corruption is not in our character even though it has been accepted as a norm in our country.

    “There is corruption in virtually every sector of the economy. There is corruption in the university, there is corruption among the political class and even the religious organisations celebrate ill-gotten wealth, but we must not continue this way in the new year.”

  • Reject dictators, says ACF

    Reject dictators, says ACF

    The northern socio-political organisation, Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), has asked Nigerians not to allow a small segment of the nation set the nation’s agenda.

    It urged Christians to abide by the tenets of peace and unity, which were the hallmark of the teachings of Jesus Christ.

    In its Christmas message by the National Publicity Secretary, Anthony Sani, the ACF said since Jesus Christ preached love and peace, the only way to profess to be His followers was to follow His teachings.

    The message reads: “Arewa Consultative Forum felicitates with Christians at Christmas. We pray this occasion would make Christians to strengthen their faith in Jesus Christ.

    “Nigeria may be going through challenges that have engendered mistrust, suspicion and frustration in the polity to the extent that our sense of brotherhood and togetherness is being called into question. But we cannot and should not allow challenges posed by a minority segment of our society to set our national agenda.

    “And that is why ACF urges Christians and Nigerians to use the Christmas and supplant any frustrations with sense of love, faith and hope, because the challenges are not beyond redemption.”

     

    Kaduna State Governor Mukthar Yero asked the people to avoid things that are detrimental to peace and unity.

    In a statement by his Director General, Media and Publicity, Ahmed Maiyaki, the governor called on Christians to reflect on God’s special gift of salvation to mankind through the birth of Jesus Christ.

    He said: “As a special day when Christians mark the birth of Jesus Christ, it is imperative at Christmas to reflect on the basic teachings of Christianity anchored on peace, love and unity.

    “Let’s use the opportunity provided by Christmas to extend the hand of fellowship to one another.”

  • Acf, textile workers mourn Mandela

    The northern socio-political organisation, Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) and Kaduna-based civil rights activist, Mallam Shehu Sani, have described South Africa’s first black President Nelson Mandela as embodiment of peace, reconciliation and forgiveness.

    The National Union of Textile, Garment and Tailoring Workers of Nigeria have also described the death of Mandela as the departure of a freedom fighter and global icon of forgiveness.

    In separate statements made available to The Nation in Kaduna, they said that Africa and indeed the world would miss the leadership quality of the anti-apathied crusader who spent 27 years in prison for fighting to free South African blacks from slavery.

    The ACF in a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Anthony Sani, said: “The departure of a freedom fighter, global icon for forgiveness and unprecedented transition from tyranny to non-racial democracy is capable of ushering a global despair, disillusionment and agony.

    “Arewa Consultative Forum mourns this fact that at last, the message has come that former President Nelson Mandela passed on yesterday.

    “Dr Mandela was an embodiment of peaceful relative pluralism nurtured by reconciliation, forgiveness, tolerance, justice, liberty, common decency, equality and accommodation as well as dignity of man.

    “President Mandela showed that we can make the most of our God-given diversity by working hard to overcome what divides the people in favour of core value of humanity that unite us.

    “And that is why even though he is now at peace associated with death, we cannot be totally wrong to say he is still at pain with what he has left behind in some parts of the world where some people still take it out of themselves in order to address perceived grievances, as if Dr Mandela did not sacrifice his freedom and comfort for the freedom of others and for the sacred inviolability of the individual.

    “Since Dr Mandela needs no thumb stone to remind humanity of what he stood and fought for, the only way humanity can show eternal gratitude to the man is to live up his legacies. Adieu, Mandela.”

    In a statement signed by their General Secretary, Issa Aremu, the textile workers said that Mandela was a freedom fighter, global icon for forgiveness.

    According to the statement, “there is undoubtedly a Nelson Mandela vacuum in the world turned asunder by widening gap between the poor and the rich, avoidable violence and wars of attrition, injustices of varying types, vengeance and non-forgiveness.

    “However, the world must take consolation in the fact that immortality was certainly not the way of Nelson Mandela. Immortality belongs to Almighty God! What should hunt humanity like spectre are Mandela’s deeds. Let’s celebrate and emulate his life of amazing sacrifices with dignity, brief and remarkable tenure in office, forgiveness and reconciliation and value addition in retirement.

    Also, the President of Civil Rights Congress, Mallam Shehu Sani, said the news of the death of the hero of the anti-apartheid struggle, Nelson Mandela, was a painful one, adding that Africa, the black race and all freedom loving people of the world have lost a revolutionary icon.

  • ACF, others mourn Mandela

    The northern socio-political organisation, Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) and Kaduna based civil rights activist, Mallam Shehu Sani has described South Africa’s first black President, Nelson Mandela, as embodiment of peace, reconciliation and forgiveness.

    Also, the National Union of Textile, Garment and Tailoring Workers of Nigeria described the death of Mandela as the departure of a freedom fighter and global icon of forgiveness.

    In separate statements made available to The Nation in Kaduna, they said that Africa and indeed the world will miss the leadership quality of the anti-apartheid icon who spent 27 years in prison, fighting to free South African blacks from slavery.

    The ACF in a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Anthony Sani ,said, “the departure of a freedom fighter, global icon for forgiveness and unprecedented transition from tyranny to non-racial democracy is capable of ushering a global despair, disillusionment and agony.

    “Arewa Consultative Forum mourns this fact that at last the message has come that former President Nelson Mandela passed on yesterday. Dr. Mandela was an embodiment of peaceful relative pluralism nurtured by reconciliation, forgiveness, tolerance, justice, liberty, common decency, equality and accommodation as well as dignity of man.

    “President Mandela showed that we can make the most of our God-given diversity by working hard to overcome what divide the people in favour of core value of humanity that unite us.

    “And that is why even though he is now at peace associated with death, we cannot be totally wrong to say he is still at pain with what he has left behind in some parts of the world where some people still take it out of themselves in order to address perceived grievances, as if Dr Mandela did not sacrificed his freedom and comfort for the freedom of others and for the sacred inviolability of the individual.

    The President of Civil Rights Congress, Sani said the news of Mandela’s death was a painful one, adding that Africa, the black race and all freedom loving people of the world have lost a revolutionary icon.

     

  • ACF to ASUU: Ratify agreement with FG

    The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) on Thursday called on the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) to ratify its agreement with the Federal Government so as to resume work immediately.

    The National Publicity Secretary of the forum, Mr. Anthony Sani, made the call in a statement released in Kaduna.

    The ACF said calling off the five-month-old strike would be in the best interest of students, parents and the educational system.

    “We wish to call on ASUU to please hasten the completion of the said paper work with a view to calling off the strike forthwith,” the News Agency of Nigeria quoted ACF as saying in the statement.

    It also cautioned the federal government on the ultimatum issued to ASUU to resume lectures or be sacked, saying that it would only prolong the strike.

    “No purpose will be served by the ultimatum at this stage when ASUU has said all that remains for calling off the strike is mere paper work.

    “This is precisely because the ultimatum at this stage can only result in avoidable test of wills capable of prolonging the strike, which no one wants,” the forum said.

     

  • Defection good for democracy, says ACF

    Defection good for democracy, says ACF

    The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) yesterday described the defection of five PDP governors to the APC as democracy in action.

    The Northern socio-political group said it would prefer that the nation’s political parties reduced to two for the growth of the political system.

    The forum said it was clear that the multi-party system did not give Nigerians a clear choice because the parties have been clones of one another.

    It said: “The defection of five PDP governors to APC is democracy in action, which allows players to change their political strategy towards declared goals when the need arises.

    “ACF sees the unfolding events as a healthy development towards the emergence of a viable alternative platform for the polity, considering the fact that democracy without viable opposition is a sham.

    “You would note that ACF has been hankering for a two-party system that can provide clear choices for voters. Before now,the multi-party practice has not provided Nigerians with clear choices because the political parties have been clones of one another.

    “Consequently, the choice has been reduced from which parties can deliver good governance to which parties has the capacity to win elections to determine who gets what, why, where, how and when.

    “ACF, therefore, hopes the unfolding political dynamics will lead to the evolution of two political parties that are far-sighted, sure-footed and resolute in their determination to promote democracy premised on the triple foundation of liberty, justice and common decency.”

  • Governors’ defection: ACF advocates two party system

    The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), the north’s socio-political organisation wants the nation’s political parties reduced to two for the growth and development of the political system.

    Reacting to the merger of the new Peoples Democratic Party and the G-7 governors with the All Progressive Congress, the forum said that it is clear that multi party democracy has not provided Nigerians with a clear choice because the parties have been “clone” of each other.

    The forum said the defection of five of the PDP governors to the opposition is “democracy in action.”

    The group said, “The defection of five PDP Governors to APC is democracy in action which allows players to change their political strategy towards declared goals when the need arises.

    “ACF sees the unfolding events as a healthy development towards emergence of a viable alternative platform for the polity, considering democracy without viable opposition is a sham.

    “You would note that ACF has been hankering for a two-party system that can provide clear choices for the voters. Before now, the multi-party practices has not provided Nigerians with clear choices painfully designed and laboriously erected by the political parties, precisely because the political parties have been clones of one another.

    “Consequently, the choice has been reduced from which political parties can deliver on the promise of democracy to which of the political parties has the capacity to win elections in a political economy that enables government to determine who gets what, why, where, how and when.

    “ACF therefore hopes the unfolding political dynamics will lead to the evolution of two political parties which are far-sighted, sure-footed and resolute in their determination to promote democracy premised on triple foundation of liberty, justice and common decency, needed for the development and growth of our democracy.”

     

     

  • ‘Northern governors have blueprint for growth’

    Former Chief of Army Staff and chieftain of the Arewa Consultative Forum ( ACF) General Mohammed Inuwa Wushishi said the 19 northern governors should be held responsible if the region is not salvaged from its economic woes.

    He said the AFC had submitted a roadmap capable of reversing the region’s socio-economic fortunes to the governors.

    “We have submitted the roadmap and it is now left for the northern governors to study it to implement it. It is now left for them to alleviate the suffering of the people and salvage the region from economic woods, Wushishi said.

    Wushishi, who spoke in Minna at the weekend, said the roadmap identified agriculture, poverty, security and education as areas the the region should address.

    Former state chairman of the forum Baba Abubakar said for the region to reduce its dependence on the monthly cheques from Abuja, the governors must give priority to agriculture.

    He regretted that instead of giving attention to the sector, the leaders have abandoned their responsibility due to selfishness and greed.

    “We would have been making progress with agriculture, but our politicians due to their selfish interest have engaged in fighting, killing, and promoting religious disharmony. They have not allowed the region to unite.”

  • ACF: North to attend

    ACF: North to attend

    The pan-North’s socio-political organisation, the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has urged northerners to participate in the dialogue in the interest of “national solidarity”.

    This is at variance with its earlier stance, which portrayed the forum’s indifference to the national dialogue.

    The ACF suggested that instead of choosing delegates on the basis of ethnic representation, zone or state, they should be selected on local government basis, with one person representing each local government.

    In a communiqué at the end of a joint meeting of the Board of Trustees (BoT) and the National Executive Council (NEC) in Kaduna by its National Publicity Secretary, Anthony Sani, the forum feared that the outcome of the exercise might be dumped in the trash can, as those before it.

    The forum had consistently said that since it was not party to those who called for the national conference/national dialogue, it had no suggestion to give the committee, headed by Senator Okorunmu.

    At the end of its meeting in Kaduna, the ACF said it “considered the decision of the Federal Government to convoke a national conference/national dialogue against the backdrop that the decisions of past conferences are yet to be implemented by the appropriate authorities”.

    It added: “ACF, therefore, expressed doubt that the outcome of the current exercise would not suffer the same fate.

    “However, as a mark of good faith in the hope that real issues of real concerns to real Nigerians may be discussed, ACF urge northerners to participate in the national conference/national dialogue in the interest of national solidarity, which goes with relative pluralism. Towards this end, only delegates with proven intelligence and patriotic courage should be encouraged and supported to attend the conference.

    “The meeting also considered the calls for representations on the basis of equality of geopolitical zones, or of states or of ethnic nationalities.

    “…ACF urged the government to use local government areas as constituency units for representation to the conference as one delegate per local government area.”

    The forum was worried about the proliferation of groups and associations claiming to be speaking for and on behalf of the North.

    It stressed that there was need for all northerners to speak with one voice in the interest of the region.

    ACF said: “The joint meeting received and considered the report on the adverse effect of proliferation groups claiming to speak for the North and the need to speak with the same voice for effective performance. It directed its relevant committee to meet with the other groups with a view to finding the best way forward among possibilities of all the groups coming back to ACF; or all collapsing into a different platform or working together.”

  • Afenifere, ACF: conference in order

    Afenifere, ACF: conference in order

    The President’s planned national dialogue received kudos and knocks yesterday. Many others were cautious, others dismissed it as diversionary.

    Groups, such as the Afenifere Renewal Group (ARG), the Arewa Consultative Forun (ACF) and the senate and expectedly the President’s Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) welcome it, others disagree.

    The ARG in a statement by its Publicity Secretary, Kunle Famoriyo, said although the group had been asking unwaveringly  for a Sovereign National Conference, it would cooperate with and support the Advisory Council set up by the President where necessary.

    The ARG said it believes that “the committee chairman, Senator Femi Okunrounmu, who has spent a significant part of his life in the struggle for democracy and true federalism, will work to produce a guideline that we can all be proud of, provided the government has not dictated a “No Go Area” to the committee.”

    The group urged Jonathan to ensure that this latest move was towards sincere ending the country’s many problems. It recalled that many conferences had be constituted in the past that never yielded any dividend for the people of Nigeria.

    “We also urge him not to place any restriction on the committee’s term of reference and the proposed conference should have no prohibition clause like Senate President David Mark suggested.”

    The ACF yesterday said it would support any dialogue that would bring about the strengthening of the Nigeria Project.

    Its spokesman Anthony Sani, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Kaduna that:

    “The ACF has made it clear long ago that it is not opposed to any national dialogue that can calm nerves and bring about the strengthening of the Nigeria project, provided such national dialogue would not take the form of a Sovereign National Conference.

    “This is because a sovereign national conference amounts to vote of no confidence on our democracy and its institutions, which nobody or group has the right to do.

    “So national dialogue through national conference, yes; through sovereign national conference, no.

    “There is therefore nothing wrong in setting up a committee by the Federal Government to work out the form or modality of the proposed national dialogue.”

    Sani, however said the ACF would take a final stand, when the “the form and content” of the committee was unveiled to Nigerians by the federal government.

    The Senate said the plan is in line with its position.

    Senate spokesman Enyinnaya Abaribe said: “This initiative is in sync with the Senate’s position, as articulated by the Senate President in his address on Sept. 17.

    “The Senate President had advocated a conference of nationalities to discuss the Nigerian question,” Abaribe said.

    He said the Senate would welcome anything that the Federal Government will do to enable Nigerians to sit together and talk in order to resolve some national issues and promote unity.

    The national dialogue plan lacks credibility and smacks of a hidden agenda, a retired Commissioner of Police, Alhaji Ibrahim Babankowa, and Gen Muhammadu Buhari’s ally, said yesterday. He described the plan as ill-timed because the country was battling a myriad of problems which should be urgently tackled.

    Babankowa said: “What President Jonathan did in the formation of the national dialogue committee, is uncalled for, because the nation is in critical condition that needs urgent attention”, advising that Nigerians should not be dragged into another diversionary issue.

    He urged the government to rethink its approach to national issues that are going out of hand.

    Senior lawyers: Adeniyi Akintola, (SAN), Chief Felix Fagbohungbe, SAN; fMohammed Belgore, SAN; and Joseph Nwobike, SAN, Dr. Fred Agbaje, and Ebun Olu Adegboruwa, also spoke on the plan.

    Akintola said the circumstances under the declaration should be critically observed.

    He said: “The question to ask is whether the President is loyal to the cause or believes in Sovereign National Conference? Nobody wants Nigeria to disintegrate but the politicians must be sincere and show Nigerians their sincerity.

    “Was the call due to prevailing circumstances? Is it a diversionary tactic? I do not see President Jonathan as a believer of SNC. I see him as part of those who believe in maintaining the status quo.

    “We need a conference where we can say the truth to ourselves. I am not deceived by the call and I take everything he said with a pinch of salt.

    “It is a good call if he means It, but Nigerian leaders have never walked their talk. He will have to go the extra mile to regain the people’s confidence.”

    To Belgore, the president’s statement was hollow and lacked specifics.

    He said: “There is nothing to celebrate in what the president said. It is a hollow statement that is lacking in specifics.

    “We are waiting for the details because it is the detail that will reveal the president’s real intention, whether there will be any genuine national dialogue or this is just another political ruse.”

    Agbaje said Jonathan should be commended for thinking out of the box, though he expressed his reservation on the sincerity of purpose.

    “Previous and present governments have played ostrich with the idea of a SNC. Nigerian political leaders have pretended not to know that our problem is gangantua in nature to warrant a national discourse.

    “Although Jonathan has belatedly called for and supported it, we must be careful.

    “The question here is whether it is going to be sovereign or near national? Is the government prepared not to tinker with the resolution that will come out of the conference? Above all, will the government implement it?

    “There must be answers to these questions, otherwise, the so-called conference will become a jamboree,” Agbaje said.

    Mr Ebun Olu-Adegboruwa, a Lagos-based lawyer, commended the President for the initiative, adding that it must be geared towards meeting genuine aspirations of the people.”What Nigerians are yearning for is a conference that will see to the resolution of the fundamental problems of our nation.”The Federal Government must confer with civil society organisations and various other entities and get their various representatives to form consultative committee to pilot the birth of this National Conference.”Nigerians should be involved. We have gone through this road before and we didn’t get anywhere.”I believe we should be saved from that scenario, it should be a fruitful conference,” Olu-Adegboruwa said.

    The President lacks the “capacity and capability” to conduct a national dialogue or conference, Executive Secretary of the Anti-Corruption Network, Dino Melaye, has said.

    Melaye said Jonathan cannot conduct an acceptable national dialogue at this time because he has divided the country along “ethnic and religious lines.”

    He said: “This government is a government of lies, ifs and committees. they have not implemented recommendations of the committees.

    “The white paper on the post electoral crisis committee by Sheik Ahmed Lemu, where is Prof. Femi Odekunle and company?

    “The Civil Service Reforms Committee headed by former Head of Service, Steve Orosanye’s report is there, nothing has been done on it. The Nuhu Ribadu’s committee was set up again, they have submitted their report, nothing has happened.

    “The NEITI report is also available, nothing has happened. The Aig-Imhokhuede’s report is there, nothing has happened. As far as we are concerned, the setting up of the committee is just to economically empower some individuals.”

    He further said that the country needs a father-like President like Nelson Mandela of South Africa to conduct a national conference.

    Melaye added: “Goodluck Jonathan cannot conduct a national dialogue. I said Goodluck Jonathan does not have the capability and capacity to organise a national dialogue.

    “To organise a national dialogue, you need a fatherly-postured President who will bring all parties without rancor. But Jonathan has further divided this country on the grounds of religion and ethnicity which has made it practically impossible for him as a President to organise a national dialogue.”