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  • ACF to Atiku: concede defeat, congratulate Buhari

    …tasks President on inclusive gov’t

     

    Mouthpiece of Northern Nigeria, the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has congratulated President Muhammadu Buhari over his victory at the just concluded Presidential election, asking him to run an inclusive government.

    This is also as the forum asked the leading opposition candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar to concede defeat and congratulate President Muhammadu Buhari.

    ACF told Atiku that, conceding defeat and congratulating President Muhammadu Buhari would be in the overall interest of Nigeria and place him among global democrats.

    In a congratulatory message signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Muhammad Ibrahim Biu, ACF said, there are credible evidences that the elections have been generally peaceful, free and fair.

    It equally called on President Buhari to ensure that the new administration keeps to its promise of strengthening Nigeria’s unity and inclusiveness in government, so that no section or group is left behind or left out.

    According to ACF, “The declaration of President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, of the All Progressive Congress (APC) as the President-elect by the Independent National Electoral Commission INEC)’s Chief Returning Officer, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, after collating all the election results of 2019 Presidential elections received from the 36 states and FCT, and having satisfied the requirements as provided by law has signaled a new Administration in our democratic process.

    “The journey to this point has not been easy to the contestants, the electorate and other stakeholders. However, with perseverance, resilience, determination and hard work by all in the electoral process, Nigeria has come to this successful end.

    “The 2019 Presidential election is another milestone in the nation’s election history in view of the keen contest between the two major contenders in the persons of President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR of All Progressive Congress (APC) and Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, GCON of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

    “The successful conclusion of this election despite some of the ugly incidences witnessed in some parts of country in terms of ballot box snatching, killings, security challenges and other logistic problems, Nigerians have clearly demonstrated their resolve to move forward and consolidate the gains of multiparty democracy.

    “Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), therefore, congratulates all Nigerians for their resilience, commitment and courage in exercising their civic responsibility amid challenges that are natural concomitant of such tasks and responsibilities.

    “ACF equally congratulates President Muhammadu Buhari on his re-election as the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in the just concluded 2019 Presidential election. Of equal importance, the ACF salutes the courage of Alhaji Atiku Abubakar for putting up a gallantry fight with an impressive performance in the presidential elections.

    “The forum calls on Alhaji Atiku Abubakar of PDP as a committed democrat, who cherishes peaceful democratic transition to accept the will of the people, concede defeat and congratulate President Buhari on his well-deserved victory at the just concluded elections, especially as there are credible evidence that the elections have been generally peaceful, free and fair.

    “Such concession on the part of the main challenger would be in the overall interest of Nigeria and place him among global democrats.

    “ACF equally urges other contestants to be magnanimous in accepting defeat and congratulate their opponents.

    “ACF also commends the courage and firmness of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) under its able Chairman, Prof Mahmood Yakubu, for not only the smooth and transparent conduct of the 2019 Presidential and National Assembly elections, but also for its refusal to be intimidated or cajoled by the initial logistic challenges which led to the postponement of the elections by one week and other unfortunate incidences.

    “ACF particularly salutes the resilient Nigerians for their personal sacrifices to not only exercised their franchise by voting candidates of their choice but also to ensure that their votes got counted. We equally salute other stakeholders, especially the National Peace Committee of General Abdussalami Abubakar, foreign and domestic election observers and many others for their wise counsel and commitment to peaceful election.

    “We also commend the efforts of the security agencies for the difficult tasks of providing security cover to INEC officials, the electorates, foreign and domestic election observers. It was no mean sacrifice and determination coupled with prayers which made the exercise to come onto its own peacefully and successfully too.

    “The appeal made by President Buhari to his supporters “not to gloat or humiliate the opposition as victory is enough reward for their efforts” is timely and appropriate.

    “ACF urges all Nigerians to demonstrate the same spirit and commitment in the March 9th Governorship and State Assembly Elections,” It said.

  • ACF, Council of Imams seek arrest of attackers

    The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) and the Council of Imams and Ulamas yesterday called on Kaduna State Government to apprehend and prosecute the masterminds of the Killings of 66 persons in Kajuru Local Government Area.

    ACF, in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Muhammad Ibrahim Biu said, perpetrators of the dastardly acts must be brought to book to serve as deterrent to others.

    He said: “Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) is deeply pained by the recent unwarranted killings of innocent lives and destruction of property of some settlements in Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna State on the eve of the postponed elections by some armed bandits. The heinous acts by the gun men or bandits were callous and inhuman, considering the number of casualties. Killings of innocent people for whatever reasons cannot in any way address the perceived concerns or grievances of the perpetrators of these crimes.

    “ACF would not be tired of appealing to all aggrieved persons to always channel their grievances through due process of law rather than taking the law into their hands. This is because both the attacks and reprisals are often targeted at innocent people who know nothing about the feuds.

    “ACF condemns such spate of killings of innocent people by armed bandits and gunmen not only in Kaduna State but also in some other parts of the country. The forum therefore calls on the security agencies to always be proactive in their operations in order to avert such incidence.

    “Perpetrators of this dastardly acts must be brought to book to serve as deterrent to others. The issue of intelligence gathering and sharing should be a continuous and sustained effort by both the communities and the security agencies to ensure peaceful coexistence within the communities. This is because peaceful coexistence is sine qua non to meaningful socioeconomic development.

    The religious leaders also urged the state governor Nasir El-Rufai to ensure that  the foot soldiers that participated in the killings face the wrath of the law to serve as deterrent to others.” ACF said.

    The State Chairman of the Council of Imams, Ibrahim Nakaka who addressed newsmen in ‎Kaduna yesterday said: It is the responsibility of the state government to protect the lives of Muslims and other indigienes  as enshrined by the constitution of the country.

    The council lamented how attacks on Muslims communities in Southern Kaduna had become a routine.

  • Breaking: ACF endorses Buhari

    …says, President deserves 2nd term

    Mouthpiece of Northern Nigeria, the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has endorsed the candidature of Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressive Congress (APC) in the next Saturday poll.

    It would be recalled that Professor Ango Abdullahi led faction of the Northern Elders Forum (NEF) had recently endorsed the candidacy of Alhaji Atiku Abubakar of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

    ACF which prides itself as the political compass of the North said, it has carefully studied the antecedents of major presidential candidates, the manifestoes and policy documents of their parties, alongside the need for social, political and economic stability in the country, it has come to conclusion that, President Muhammadu Buhari deserves a second term to consolidate on his achievements.

    The forum which declared its stand in statement personally signed by its Acting Chairman, Alhaji Musa Liman Kwande said, ACF’s stand was informed by the strides taken by the Buhari administration to improve and reposition the nation economically, with the multi-billion Dollar Mambilla hydropower project, the exploration of oil in Gongola Basin of the Benue trough, the Baro inland port, the North East Development Commission, the ongoing rail line projects nationwide, and other critical infrastructural development projects.

    According to the statement, “In continuation of role of ACF as the political compass of the North, the leadership under the Chairmanship of Mallam Adamu M. Fika Wazirin Fika GCON, Chairman Board of Trustees of the Forum at a meeting today 12th February 2019, has evaluated critical national issues, especially the political situation in the country and its attendant consequences for the continued peace, unity and progress of our dear country Nigeria.

    “The ACF takes note of the state of the political situation as the nation goes into another round of elections, where tensions are heightened as a result of intense campaigns, lobbying and horse-trading among political actors.

    “The ACF takes special note that major political parties have nominated prominent northerners, for the February 16th 2019 Presidential Elections. The Forum has carefully studied the antecedents of major presidential candidates, the manifestoes and policy documents of their parties, alongside the need for social, political and economic stability in the country.

    “The ACF is therefore, of the view that certain attributes such as clarity of thought, unity of purpose, content of character and morality of the candidates, their leadership qualities, performance and general acceptability of the candidates contesting for not only the office of the president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria but also for other elective offices should guide voters in making their choices.

    “The decision on who to elect should not be based on any form of inducements, mob hysteria, intimidation or false promises, but by calm and deliberate consideration of the candidates’ qualities of leadership, performance and moral standing in their public and private lives.

    “Furthermore, other considerations such as capacity to tackle security challenges, fight corruption, and boost the economy by way of diversification away from over dependence on oil, by infrastructural development in order to promote growth. The integrity of the candidate to raise the image of Nigeria in the comity of nations is equally important in the election.

    Read Also: Buhari vows to recover $16bn squandered on power by PDP

    “ACF also calls on the politicians and their supporters as well as the electorates to avoid all forms of violence before, during and after the elections. This is because violence is never a solution to any grievances. It not only destroys our democratic process but also lives and property. Democracy is a contest of ideas and reasons.

    “Also, ACF urges the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to live up its promise and assurances for credible, free and fair elections.

    “ACF equally calls on the Police and other security agencies involved in providing security to the election process to remain neutral and professional in their conduct.” It said.

  • ACF applauds Buhari over oil drilling in North

    …silent over NEF’s endorsement of Atiku

     

    Barely 24 hours after Professor Ango Abdullahi led Northern Elders Forum (NEF) endorsed PDP Presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar for presidency, mouthpiece of Northern Nigeria, the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has applauded President Muhammadu Buhari led federal government over the flag-off of oil drilling operations in the North.

    Though, the ACF was silent over the NEF’s endorsement of Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, its commendation of Buhari programme 24 hours after, speaks volume.

    The forum in a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Muhammad Ibrahim Biu described the oil and gas drilling operations in the Spud-In of Kolmani River-11 well in the Gongola Basin in Bauchi State, flagged-off by President Muhammad Buhari, as a welcome development.

    ACF argued that, “the political will mustered by the government to aggressively pursue the oil exploration in the Northern part of the country, clearly dovetails with the regime’s economic recovery and growth plan, which it said can boost economic benefits, particularly in the North and Nigeria in general.

    According to ACF, “The oil and gas drilling operations in the Spud-In of Kolmani River-11 well in the Gongola Basin in Bauchi State, flagged-off by President Muhammad Buhari last week is a welcome development in the sense that it will open new prospects for the oil and gas industry in Nigeria.

    “The political will mustered by the Federal Government (FG) to aggressively pursue the oil exploration in the Northern part of the country clearly dovetails with the regime’s economic recovery and growth plan (ERGP) which can boost economic benefits, particularly in the North and Nigeria in general.

    Read Also: ACF to Labour leaders: don’t truncate democracy

    “Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), therefore, commends the FG and urges her to sustain the oil and gas exploration efforts in the other frontier basins.

    “In this respects, ACF appeals to the Nigeria National Petroleum Company (NNPC) to courageously and fully ensure that the Presidential directive on the oil exploration campaigns in Chad Basin, Gongola, Anambra, Sokoto, Bida Basins and Benue Trough are carried out to the letter and spirit.

    “ACF also appeals to the FG to also create and provide an enabling environment that will encourage other oil companies to invest and participate in the oil and gas exploration in the North. This is because the oil and gas exploration will in no small measure add value to the nation’s economy,” ACF said.

  • ACF to Labour leaders: don’t truncate democracy

    The  Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) yesterday faulted the planned strike by organized labour 40 days to the commencement of the 2019 elections.

    The forum said while it is all for the wellbeing of workers, it is worried about the “threat to industrial peace and harmony” posed by the planned strike.

    Labour is mobilizing workers to commence a strike over the stalemate with government on the N30,000 new minimum wage.

    The ACF in  a statement yesterday in Kaduna by its  National Publicity Secretary, Muhammad Ibrahim Biu,   said the public “is getting extremely alarmed by the risky method they (labour) have chosen to fight for the welfare of their members.”

    He said: “the Arewa Consultative Forum, (ACF) has nothing but sympathy and goodwill towards all Nigerian workers who continue to toil in an increasingly difficult economic environment. We also support whatever they or their unions legitimately do to improve on their welfare.

    “However, ACF wishes to draw the attention of the labour and trade union organizations to the fact that the public is getting extremely alarmed by the risky method they have chosen to fight for the welfare of their members.

    “It will be recalled that ASUU, ASUP and other unions in our tertiary institutions have been on “total, comprehensive and indefinite” strike almost 100 days to our general elections. And now, about 40 days to the elections, the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, is threatening not only to call its members out on a “total and prolonged” strike but to “mobilize” them to paralyze the country.

    “The ACF is very much worried and concerned with this threat to industrial peace and harmony, and hereby appeals to the leadership of NLC and other trade unions to place the interest of the country above all other considerations.

    “Workers’ welfare can only be improved if the country is working and the general elections that is at the heart of our democracy is allowed to take place in a peaceful environment. We cannot afford to truncate our hard earned democracy at this material time when all hands are expected to be on deck to move the country forward.

    “We therefore urge the labour leaders to remain patriots and prevail on their members to suspend the proposed total strike and for ASUU and ASUP, we appeal that they call off the strike and return to the negotiation table.

    “ACF urges all interested parties to note that the issue of minimum wage transcends all sectors of the economy, hence the need for workers in both public, private sectors and governments to come together and agree on what the economy can accommodate, after which a bill to that effect can be transmitted to the National Assembly forthwith.”

  • ACF: we don’t have presidential candidate for 2019

    •PT candidate Olawepo-Hashim vows to build N4tr economy

    THE mouthpiece of the North, the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), has debunked supporting a specific presidential candidate or aligning with any political party.

    ACF stated this at its headquarters in Kaduna yesterday, when it played host to the People’s Trust presidential candidate, Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim, ahead of the 2019 presidential election.

    This was as Olawepo-Hashim vowed that with his over 27 years’ experience in business, where he has invested immensely in infrastructure and human capital, he would build a N4 trillion economy for Nigeria in 10 years, to employ 40 million citizens.

    Receiving the presidential candidate alongside other chieftains of the forum, Acting ACF Chairman Alhaji Musa Liman Kwande said: “We do not align ourselves to any individual or political party.”

    The ACF chair said what the forum wants to see in presidential candidate is a genuine, very positive and pragmatic policies and measures to fight corruption, insecurity, impunity, anarchy and a host of other disingenuous activities which, if not effectively contained, would certainly be the bane of the nation’s progress and growth.

    According to Kwande, “ACF, as you are aware, is a non-partisan, non-political, non-religious body devoid of any ethnic or tribal sentiments. Thus, its status as the foremost northern socio-cultural organisation, which tries to promote peace, unity, justice and the rule of law, with the main thrust to promoting and protecting the interest and development of North and its people, within the context of one indivisible nation, is not in question.

    “In our non-partisan disposition, we do not align ourselves to any individual or political party. Rather, we strive to weigh the scale on what is good for the North in particular and the overall good of the nation.

    “As we hold the belief that every aspirant to the office of the President of our great country should have an articulate and thorough blueprint that will catapult the country to be among the comity of great nations, we expect to see genuinely, the very positive and pragmatic policies and measures put in place to fight against corruption, insecurity, impunity, anarchy and a host of other disingenuous activities which, if not effectively contained, would certainly be the bane of our progress and development as a people and one cohesive nation.

    “I understand that you have availed yourself to contest for the office of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in 2019, under the platform of the People’s Trust (PT). I feel quite enthused to acknowledge the emergence of new breed politicians like your humble self vying for the various elective offices in our nascent democratic dispensation, which, by and large, has the potential to engender healthy political process as we strive to consolidate on the achievements recorded so far.

    “It is, therefore, significant under the prevailing situation in our nationhood, to witness-quite-a prolific array of political formations and platforms under which each and every Nigerian can have expression. We therefore welcome your emergence of political parties and your good self as the presidential candidate of one of the new parties, the People’s

    Trust (PT).”

    The forum appealed to leaders of various political parties to ensure they live by the letters and spirit of the Abuja Peace Accord put up by the National Peace Committee under the former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, which they all signed and pledged to uphold.

    The PT presidential candidate, who hails from Kebbi State, North-West Nigeria, harped on the need to unite Nigerians and build a virile economy that can support the nation’s growing population.

    According to him, “Nigeria has been badly divided more than ever before. So, our plan is to stop insecurity and return the country to a united nation like it was at independence. Though, North is the largest part of the country, but we must unite with smaller units who feel threatened, and mend the broken bones.”

    On the economy, Olawepo-Hashim said there was too much hunger in the land because the nation’s economy was too small to take care of its population.

    “With my over 27 years’ experience in business, where I have invested immensely in infrastructure and human capital, I have the experience to build the biggest economy that can take care of our population. I will build a N4 trillion economy for Nigeria in 10 years, which will employ 40 million citizens,” he said.

  • ACF secretary hails Buhari’s order to end killings in Nigeria

    The Secretary General of Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), Mr. Anthony N. Z. Sani, has hailed President Muhammadu Buhari for issuing an order to security agencies, the intelligence community, as well as political, religious and traditional rulers to end the killings in the land.

    In a personal reaction to the President’s speech in Kaduna on Tuesday, the ACF secretary said there was a swarm of locusts in the land.

    He said the country seemed not to know the pests, let alone develop appropriate pesticides to control them.

    According to him, the President’s order to the concerned authorities seems to be a new resolve and determination to end the killings, which he described as a national malaise.

    Sani said: “My reactions to yesterday’s visit to Kaduna by President Buhari is that the visit underscores the concern of this administration to the security challenges posed by gunmen, kidnapping and the herdsmen phenomenon, and the resolve by the Federal Government to confront the menace with all sense of seriousness.

    “Mr President is concerned that past failure to bring perpetrators of the killings to justice, through diligent investigations that could lead to successful prosecutions, has tended to encourage a sense of impunity in the polity. This is worsened when such challenges are given ethnic and religious colorations, thereby providing veritable platforms for criminals to hide and commit heinous crime, knowing it is impossible to prosecute ethnicity and religion. “Hence, the significance of the address by the President to not only security agents, intelligence community but also to traditional and religious as well as political leaders, is apt.

    “Mr President’s address has more or less vindicated the wisdom of those who posit that there is a swarm of locusts in the land, but the nation does not seem to know the pests.  Consequently, we have not been able to develop appropriate pesticides needed for the control and the containment.

    “This is an odd thing to say, especially when regard is paid to the fact that the nation has not been able to identify and prosecute killers of high profile leaders, like Chief Bola Ige and many others.

    “Similarly, the many reports by panels and commissions of inquiries into ethno-religious clashes across the nation, especially in Kaduna and Plateau states, have not been implemented, perhaps because they could not identify the culprits who have often tended to hide under religion or ethnicity.

  • ACF seeks arrest of monarch’s killers

    Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has asked the Kaduna State government and security agencies to apprehend the abductors and killers of the Agom Adara, Dr. Maiwada Galadima.

    It expressed shock that while the Kaduna State government was making efforts to restore peace after the Kasuwan Magani crisis with its spill over to other parts of Kaduna, the kidnappers of the first-class chief of Adara chiefdom killed him and dumped his body at Katari on Kaduna-Abuja road.

    ACF urged the federal and state governments to set up a judicial commission of enquiry into the immediate and remote causes of killings across the country.

    In a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Muhammad Ibrahim Biu, the group said nothing displeased God more than kidnapping and communal/religious clashes with the resultant loss of lives and wanton destruction of property all over the country.

    The statement said: “Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) is shocked, grieved and sad with the news of the gruesome murder of Agom Adara, His Royal Majesty, Dr. Maiwada Galadima, who was kidnapped in the wake of the Kasuwan Magani crisis in Kaduna State.

    “This cruel act of the abductors was barbaric, despicable and offends the tenets of all religions and common decency. It is, therefore, condemned by all peace-loving people across the globe.

    “ACF once more calls on the security agencies and the Kaduna State government to strengthen its intelligence network and track down the perpetrators of the gruesome murder of the Agom Adara and other innocent persons abducted and killed by these criminals, and ensure that they are brought to book.

    “We urge the government to not only strengthen its peace building process, but also sustain it, in order to ensure peace. We equally appeal to the Kaduna State government to be firm and decisive in dealing with criminals, who have continued to disturb our peaceful coexistence and progress.

    “Nothing displeases God more than incessant kidnapping and communal/religious clashes with its huge loss of lives and wanton destruction of property all over the country. These have become worrisome and of serious concern to all.

    “ACF therefore appeals to the federal and state governments across the nation to take measures, including a judicial panel of enquiry into the immediate and remote causes of the incidence of killings with the hope of stopping this avoidable menace. The governments should put in measures that will ensure safety of the persons in pursuit of their legitimate livelihood in all parts of Nigeria.

    “Finally, ACF extends its condolences to the Adara Chiefdom over the gruesome murder of the Agom Adara, Dr. Maiwada Galadima, the families of those who lost their loved ones during the crisis, the government and people of Kaduna State. May their souls rest in peace.”

  • ACF to FG: Review negotiation strategy with Boko Haram

    …condemns killings of aid workers

     

    Mouthpiece of Northern Nigeria, the Arewa Consultative Forum ( ACF ) has condemned the killing of another aid worker, Hauwa Amina Liman by Boko Haram terrorists on Monday.

    While describing the killing of Liman as clear desecration of Islam which preaches sacred inviolability of the individual, ACF said, the action of the terrorists to say the least was callous, barbaric and inhuman and totally against the tenets of Islam.

    The Forum therefore called on the Federal Government to review its negotiation strategy with the terrorists group, to ensure that the other aid worker, Leah Sharibu and the Chibok girls still in captivity are rescued and reunited with their families.

    In a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Muhammad Ibrahim Biu, ACF said Federal Government should no longer wait for deadline from the terrorists before taking necessary actions to rescue the captives, saying that, actions by the government and its allies on the rescue mission should be quick in order to assuage the fears of Nigerians of what may happen to those still in captivity.

    The statement read that, “Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) is saddened and pained by the sad news of the execution of another aid worker Hauwa Amina Liman by the Boko Haram terrorists on Monday.

    “It would be recalled that Hauwa and two other aid workers with International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) were abducted by the terrorists about six months ago during an attack on the military base in Rann, Borno State,and have since then been in their captivity.

    “Earlier on, one of the aid workers kidnapped named Saifura Hussaini Ahmed was killed by the terrorists on the grounds that the Federal Government (FG) failed to meet up some of their demands, the same fate befallen Hauwa.

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    “The action of the terrorists to say the least was callous, barbaric and inhuman and totally against the tenets of Islam. The killing is clear desecration of Islam which preaches sacred inviolability of the individual.

    “The Federal Government’s assurances that it has been working with some friendly countries and other international organizations to save the lives of the innocent aid workers has not yielded the desired result.

    “ACF therefore urges the FG to review its negotiation strategy and ensure that the other aid worker, Leah Sharibu and the Chibok girls still in the captivity of the Boko Haram are rescued and released to their families.

    “The FG should not wait for deadline from the terrorists before taking necessary actions to rescue them. Any actions by the FG and the allies on this issue should be quick in order to assuage the fears of Nigerians of what may happen to those still in captivity.

    “ACF extends its condolences to the families of Hauwa and Saifura who were brutally executed by the terrorists for serving humanity and equally commiserates with the families of those still captivity.” Said ACF.

  • Presidency, NASS should concentrate on governance – ACF

    The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) on Thursday told the executive and legislative arms government to end their crisis and concentrate on delivery of good governance to Nigerians.

    ACF said the lingering crisis between the Executive and the National Assembly is not only avoidable but also very embarrassing.

    The body added that the feud has nothing to do with issues of real concern to ordinary Nigerians.

    Rising from its quarterly National Executive Council (NEC) meeting presided over by the Acting Chairman of the Forum, Alhaji Musa Liman Kwande, ACF said the crisis has affected governance, the polity and growth of Nigeria’s nascent democracy.

    A communique issued at the end of the meeting and signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Muhammad Ibrahim Biu, said “both the Executive and the NASS members are in place in order to deliver on the promise of democracy and not to engage in unnecessary flexing of muscles that have nothing to do with real issues of real concern to real ordinary Nigerians.”

    “ACF therefore appeals to both the Presidency and the NASS leadership to sheath their swords and put the interests of Nigeria above all other pecuniary considerations.”

    On the recent blockade of the NASS by men of the Department of State Security (DSS), the communique said ACF condemned in strong terms the siege on the citadel of democracy by the agency.

    The Forum said the actions of the DSS run contrary to democratic tenets and reeks of intolerance.

    It applauded the actions taken by the Federal Government and urged it to thoroughly investigate the immediate and remote causes of the NASS blockade in order to unveil the truth and sanction all those found culpable no matter their status both within and without the service.