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  • ACF, Northern Igbo leaders, Atiku hail withdrawal of quit notice

    ACF, Northern Igbo leaders, Atiku hail withdrawal of quit notice

    The umbrella body of northern leaders, the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), and the leadership of the Igbo community in the North have welcomed the withdrawal of the quit notice earlier issued by a coalition of some northern youth groups to the Igbo living in the North.

    The Igbo leaders under the auspices of Igbo Community Welfare Association however asked the Federal Government to monitor and enforce its order against hate speech.

    ACF in a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Muhammad Ibrahim Biu, commended the efforts of the Vice President, the Northern States Governors Forum under the chairmanship of Alhaji Kashim Shettima and other leaders of thought from the North in dousing the tension generated by the quit notice.

    The statement reads: “The ACF welcomes the withdrawal of the quit notice (issued) by the Northern Youths Coalition. This is a good development in the interest of peace and corporate existence of Nigeria.

    “ACF had earlier called on all concerned to note that our democratic system of government, which is anchored on law and the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, guarantees free movement of all Nigerians to pursue their means of livelihood in all parts of the country, devoid of hindrance from any group or individuals.
    “ACF therefore commends the efforts of the Northern States Governors Forum, Alhaji Kashim Shettima and other leaders of thought from the North.

    “The ACF particularly hails the earlier efforts of the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, who had earlier engaged Northern leaders, traditional rulers and the Igbo leaders to douse the tension created by the IPOB activities and the subsequent quit notice given by the Northern Youths Coalition to the Igbo living in the North.
    “ACF appeals to all Nigerians to heed the Federal Government’s warning against hate speeches and violent agitations that will jeopardise our peaceful coexistence as a nation.”

    The President-General Igbo Community Welfare Association, Barrister Chris Nnoli, said the withdrawal of the quit notice was commendable as it doused tension among the Igbo living in the North.
    According to him, “it is a welcome development and we the Igbo community appreciate it because it will lessen the apprehension and tension created by that statement.

    “Some people have come to say it was only a suspension and not a withdrawal. But I think whichever way, it is still in order and we welcome it.

    “We will continue to ask our people to remain calm and law abiding. Nigeria belongs to everybody and we believe that everyone has the right to live wherever they want”.

    Also commending the coalition of northern groups for their decision to rescind the quit notice given to the Igbo to leave the North on or before October 1, 2017, former Vice President and chieftain of All Progressives Congress (APC), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, described the development as the triumph of good judgment.

    In a statement issued from his media office in Abuja yesterday, the former Vice President appealed to the Coalition of Northern Groups and the Arewa Youths Council to go the whole hog and drop any other condition given to people of Igbo origin living in Northern Nigeria or anywhere else in the nation.

    According to him, “Reconciliation must be total or else it is pyrrhic.”

    In the spirit of this rapprochement, the Waziri Adamawa also called on other ethnic groupings which might have issued counter quit notices to accept the olive branch and rescind whatever notices or withdraw whatever statements they might have made.

    The former Vice President commended President Muhammadu Buhari for his national broadcast condemning such developments and urged other elders and elder-statesmen around the nation to add their voices to the condemnation of evil and henceforth refrain from making statements that could undermine Nigeria’s unity.

  • ACF, Northern Igbo leaders, Atiku hail withdrawal of quit notice

    The umbrella body of northern leaders, the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), and the leadership of the Igbo community in the North have welcomed the withdrawal of the quit notice earlier issued by a coalition of some northern youth groups to the Igbo living in the North.
    The Igbo leaders under the auspices of Igbo Community Welfare Association however asked the Federal Government to monitor and enforce its order against hate speech.
    ACF in a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Muhammad Ibrahim Biu, commended the efforts of the Vice President, the Northern States Governors Forum under the chairmanship of Alhaji Kashim Shettima and other leaders of thought from the North in dousing the tension generated by the quit notice.
    The statement reads: “The ACF welcomes the withdrawal of the quit notice (issued) by the Northern Youths Coalition. This is a good development in the interest of peace and corporate existence of Nigeria.
    “ACF had earlier called on all concerned to note that our democratic system of government, which is anchored on law and the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, guarantees free movement of all Nigerians to pursue their means of livelihood in all parts of the country, devoid of hindrance from any group or individuals.
    “ACF therefore commends the efforts of the Northern States Governors Forum, Alhaji Kashim Shettima and other leaders of thought from the North.
    “The ACF particularly hails the earlier efforts of the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, who had earlier engaged Northern leaders, traditional rulers and the Igbo leaders to douse the tension created by the IPOB activities and the subsequent quit notice given by the Northern Youths Coalition to the Igbo living in the North.
    “ACF appeals to all Nigerians to heed the Federal Government’s warning against hate speeches and violent agitations that will jeopardise our peaceful coexistence as a nation.”
    The President-General Igbo Community Welfare Association, Barrister Chris Nnoli, said the withdrawal of the quit notice was commendable as it doused tension among the Igbo living in the North.
    According to him, “it is a welcome development and we the Igbo community appreciate it because it will lessen the apprehension and tension created by that statement.
    “Some people have come to say it was only a suspension and not a withdrawal. But I think whichever way, it is still in order and we welcome it.
    “We will continue to ask our people to remain calm and law abiding. Nigeria belongs to everybody and we believe that everyone has the right to live wherever they want”.
    Also commending the coalition of northern groups for their decision to rescind the quit notice given to the Igbo to leave the North on or before October 1, 2017, former Vice President and chieftain of All Progressives Congress (APC), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, described the development as the triumph of good judgment.
    In a statement issued from his media office in Abuja yesterday, the former Vice President appealed to the Coalition of Northern Groups and the Arewa Youths Council to go the whole hog and drop any other condition given to people of Igbo origin living in Northern Nigeria or anywhere else in the nation.
    According to him, “Reconciliation must be total or else it is pyrrhic.”
    In the spirit of this rapprochement, the Waziri Adamawa also called on other ethnic groupings which might have issued counter quit notices to accept the olive branch and rescind whatever notices or withdraw whatever statements they might have made.
    The former Vice President commended President Muhammadu Buhari for his national broadcast condemning such developments and urged other elders and elder-statesmen around the nation to add their voices to the condemnation of evil and henceforth refrain from making statements that could undermine Nigeria’s unity.

  • What does ACF want?

    SIR: I want to appeal to the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) to come up with its own suggestion on what it considers good for Nigeria in terms of restructuring, so that Nigeria can move from foot-dragging to action.  The rejection of the 2014 proposal is not a big problem. The big problem is that the current structure of Nigeria has become unsustainable. While the 2014 conference proposed additional 18 states, it would seem better under the current circumstances to do away with states and “local governments” altogether and operate on regional and district bases as before the military intervention, to drastically reduce administrative costs and make development possible.

    I commend the ACF for saying that it would accept “any restructuring meant to improve the unity, stability, harmony and peaceful coexistence” and one “based on just, fair and equitable principles with clarity of definition to all Nigerians”. The ACF should tender its own proposal based on what others have been saying and its own considerations so that Nigeria can move forward and make 2017 a memorable year of achievement of something as worthwhile as a good national structure.

    Some other vexatious issues include rotation of key positions among the federating units in accordance with the federal character policy, and religion that has not been restricted to its place in accordance with Nigeria’s constitution. The legislature or a committee should collate different submissions on these sensitive but all important issues, and sort out the best, painstakingly and dispassionately, with clear explanations so that Nigeria can move forward in peace, unity, and progress, without reasonable feelings of inequity, marginalization or exclusion.

     

    • Prof Oyeniran Abioje,

    University of Ilorin.

  • ACF to govt: don’t implement 2014 report

    The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has asked the Federal Government not to implement reports of the 2014 National Conference.

    According to the forum, it would be morally preposterous and anti-democratic for anybody, or group, to canvass for the implementation of reports of a “conference of unelected delegates”.

    The forum also expressed its disaffection to the continued altercations between the executive arm of government and the National Assembly, saying such crises were avoidable.

    A communiqué issued at the end of its meeting maintained that its opposition against implementing the 2014 confab report was borne out of the selection of its delegates “which was skewed against the North”.

    The communiqué, signed by the National Publicity Secretary, Muhammad Ibrahim Biu, said: “The North’s opposition to implementation of recommendations of report of the 2014 National Conference is not so much because of any legal consideration, as to its legitimacy, but also because the selection of the conference delegates was skewed against the North.

    “The July 10 meeting of ACF’s National Executive Council deliberated on a number of management matters, and issues of national importance, and the following were noted:

    • ACF notes the continued altercations between the Executive and the National Assembly, in particular the Senate, over interpretations of certain sections of the Constitution, regarding confirmation of appointments of public officers and other contentious issues. These disagreements are avoidable, precisely because they are not helpful for good governance.
    • We, therefore, urge concerned parties to amicably resolve their differences in the interest of Nigeria, or better still approach the Supreme Court for correct interpretation of the relevant sections of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, to avoid future recurrences.
    • ACF noted the nationwide debate on “restructuring”, as being canvassed by some people, groups and even prominent citizens. The term, however, means different things to different people or groups. To some, it is “true federalism” whatever that means, for others it is “fiscal federalism”, while some group tout it as “resource control”. Yet we have those for “resource ownership”.
    • It is regrettable that those clamouring for the so-called restructuring are yet to define what they actually mean by the concept, and its application in our present democratic setting. In most cases, the meaning depends on which section of the country, or the person advocating it, comes from. It is, therefore, ACF’s view of that any acceptable restructuring meant to improve the unity, stability, harmony and peaceful coexistence must be based on just, fair and equitable principles to all Nigerians that come with clarity of definition.

    “ACF, therefore, opines that it would be morally preposterous and anti-democratic for anybody or group to canvass for the implementation of the reports by a conference of unelected delegates. This is more so by the elected government which did not participate in the conference and its recommendations were not part of the manifesto of the ruling party.”

  • How to achieve restructuring — ACF

    How to achieve restructuring — ACF

    The  Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) says  all Nigeria’s  democratic institutions must be fully involved, if the country is to be restructured as being canvassed in some parts.

    The forum does not believe that ‘crass agitation’ for restructuring will work following the increasing calls from some quarters for another look at the 2014 constitutional conference  report as a template for  restructuring.

    Its spokesman, Muhammad Ibrahim Biu,told The Nation yesterday that the group  is particularly irked by threats, intimidation and   blackmail by some sections on the issue, without regard for the feelings of other constituent  parts of Nigeria.

    He spoke on a day former President Olusegun Obasanjo declared that restructuring the country should not be a priority for now.

    He said the social crises now facing the country would persist in a restructured country except the problems like injustice, impunity and bad governance were tackled.

    The ACF insisted that to pretend that the existing democratic institutions did  not matter or be sidelined in the agitated restructuring was an open invitation to anarchy.

    Biu  said: “ACF has observed with regret that in most cases, the discussions on whether or not to restructure Nigeria are taking place without regard to our present democratic institutions as the issues are in most cases presented as ‘demands’ by one group or the other.

    “Unfortunately, in some cases, they are followed up by some ultimatum to the government to accept or face deadly consequences.

    “A genuine agitation for a fundamental change that will affect the lives and future of the people must involve their representatives in our democratic settings. To pretend that these existing democratic institutions do not matter or be sidelined is an open invitation to anarchy.

    “It should, therefore, be clear to all the agitators that restructuring a complex, big and diverse country as Nigeria is a serious business that must take account of the views of all its citizens and not just of those that shout the loudest.

    ‘Answer to our problems is mindset change’

    Chief Olusegun Obasanjo on a visit to Warri,Delta State,for the umpteenth time,  faulted the current agitation for the restructuring of the country, noting that the same social crises bedevilling the country would persist in a restructured country.

    He said the fears of some sections of the country could be addressed through dialogue, engagement, discussion and conversation.

    Chief Obasanjo, who was guest of the Chairman of Lee Engineering and Construction Company Limited, Chief Leemon Ikpea, spoke at the palace of the Olu of Warri, Ogiame Ikenwoli.

    Reacting to an address of welcome on behalf of the Olu by Chief Brown Mene, Chief Obasanjo commended the Itsekiri people for their perseverance and decision to stand against any divisive agitation, despite their complaints against perceived marginalization and demand for better treatment and equity.

    He said:”I believe that we can solve all our problems through dialogue, engagement, discussion and conversation. As you rightly remarked, I participated in the civil war and I said never again will I participate in any civil war again in my life.

    “It was gruesome, it was destructive and it was deadly. The people who are now clamouring for whatever they are clamouring for don’t even know what war means. They don’t.

    “Whoever has seen the devastation of war, the destruction of war and the mindlessness of war will never want to see a war again and may we never have another war again.

    “The answer to most of our problems is mindset change and change of mentally. If we need any restructuring, it is the restructuring of our mindset and mentality. How will anybody in his right senses believe separation is the way out?,” he said.

    ‘Calls to revisit 2014 CONFAB report needless’

    A Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Mr. John Baiyeshea, described calls in certain quarters to revisit the report of the 2014 Constitutional Conference for the restructuring of Nigeria as off the mark.

    ”I don’t think the 2014 report is useful. As far as I know, that report is moribund and otiose. It already has credibility problem because the Jonathan’s administration that organised the so-called conference was a thoroughly discredited government,” he told The Nation in Ilorin.

    ‘No alternative to restructuring’

    Human rights activist, Professor Charles Chinekezi, is of the view that Nigeria “has no choice than to restructure and reform.”

    “And it has to be on an immediate pace because it’s long overdue. It’s been a political call that has lasted for too long and it has been ignored by subsequent leaders of this country except the immediate past civilian government of Jonathan that organized the confab which aimed at tracing the inequalities in the Nigerian federation, he said.

    A community leader in Rivers, Chief Michael Ngeneba, believes that the call for restructuring and the need to implement 2014 National Conference cannot solve the problems facing the country.

    Ngeneba said the only solution is for the leaders to deliver  good governance.

     

    ‘We need good leaders’

    The leader of the Ikwerre Youth Movement (IYM), Sir Lucky Worluh, said, “When Jonathan was there, nobody talked about restructuring, but today, everybody wants to talk about restructuring.

    “The issue of restructuring Nigeria is not our problem. Our problem is to get good leaders that would efficiently manage our resources. There is hunger in the land and a lot of people, especially in the past, almost collapsed the country through looting.”

    The Ekiti State Chairman of the Conference of Nigeria Political Parties

    (CNPP), Prince Tunji Ogunlola, does not believe in the 2014 conference.

    Ogunlola said: “When Jonathan was there, nobody called for restructuring.

    Samuel Yisa , Treasurer and Member, Governing Council of the Community Action for Popular Participation (CAPP) said:”Revisiting the report is a non-issue. The reason is because there are fundamental issues which are not in the report and unless we take it further to that point, it will not work out.”

    The paramount ruler of Seinbiri Kingdom in Burutu Council Area of Delta State, His Royal Majesty, Pere Charles Ayemi Botu, said the majority of Nigerians are for restructuring .

    ”They want the country to be restructured to save it from the calamity of another crisis. We are at the brink of another crisis, so the best bet is that everybody should consider anyone against restructuring as calling for war,” he said.

    An Urhobo youths leader and Chairman of the OML 30 Community Development Board, Morris Idiovwa,said  the Confab report contains answers  to  the structural defects that are now threatening the corporate existence of Nigeria, adding that the choice for the Confab report to be adopted is most popular in the Niger Delta.

  • ACF: action okay but must be sustained

    ACF: action okay but must be sustained

    •Ex-Villa Chaplain faults agitation

    The North’s socio-cultural organisation, Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) yesterday lauded Southeast leaders for disowning the Biafra agitation.

    It described the Igbo leaders’ dissociation from the advocates of a divided Nigeria as a welcome development and called for the sustenance of that stand.

    ACF Chairman Ibrahim Coomassie, in a telephone interview with our correspondent however noted with displeasure that Igbo leaders were reacting “too late”.

    He wondered why it took take the Igbo leaders so long to disown the Biafra agitators.

    He said: “It is a welcome development and we hope it is genuine, because the leaders of the Igbo remained silent all this while as these people were having a field day, demanding this and that and not until Northern youths issued quit notice to the Igbo that they could react.

    “So, now, that the Igbo leaders have spoken, we are happy and we hope that it is genuine and it will be sustained.

    “The government should now watch out and ensure that the disowned Biafra agitators do not cross the line. If they cross the line and do anything stupid, then the government must quickly take action.

    “Their agitation so far is part of their rights of freedom of expression, but once they break the law, they must be dealt with.”

    Former Aso Villa Chaplain Rev. William Okoye yesterday disagreed with the agitation for a sovereign state of Biafra.

    Okoye, who spoke in Abuja during the mid-year Thanksgiving Service of his Church, urged the government to create a level-playing ground and encourage equity adding that these were the values that develop a nation.

    “I am an Igbo man. I don’t believe in Biafra and I don’t believe that we need to go back to the agitation of Biafra. I was a soldier. I fought during the war.

    “What is driving the agitation is because of the injustice being meted out to the people.

    “We are not just talking about justice for the Igbo but justice for everybody in the country.

    “Government should promote fairness and not to encourage mediocrity but equity; people who are qualified for something should get it irrespective of their religion and where they come from,’’ he said.

  • ACF seeks punishment for Arewa youths coalition

    The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has urged the Federal Government to punish members of the Arewa Youth Coalition for making a hate speech.

    Speaking in its Eid-el-fitr message, signed by National Publicity Secretary Malam Muhammad Ibrahim Biu, the ACF said any plan to disunite the country or cause chaos should be resisted and dealt with accordingly.

    The ACF urged the Muslim faithful to adhere to prayers and acts of love, tolerance, unity and others good deeds carried out during the Ramadan fasting.

    The group said: “ACF commends the Federal Government for its proactive approach that douse the tension created by the Biafra agitators and the subsequent quit notice issued by the Northern Youth groups. The consultations held with the various group leaders and other stakeholders from the North and South East for the purpose of promoting unity and peaceful coexistence was appropriate and timely.

    “ACF has observed with concern that the hate messages and actions from the agitators have continued unabated. ACF therefore, urges the Federal Government to be firm and assert its authority, and ensure that the law takes its full course on those who consider themselves above the law.

    “The Ramadan period was an opportunity for Muslims all over world to fast, pray, and devote themselves to the reading and teachings of the Holy Quran, practices and sayings of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAW). It was also an occasion for Muslims to reaffirm their belief in the oneness of Almighty Allah (SWT) and the ideals of Islam.

    “Muslims also prayed fervently for peace, unity and understanding among the Muslim Ummah and Nigerians in general. They also helped the less privileged and the poor in view of the prevailing economic hardships and other inequalities among the citizenry.

    “ACF therefore wishes the Muslim Ummah a peaceful and Happy Eid-el-Fitr celebration. It equally urges Nigerians to devote themselves to prayers for unity, peaceful coexistence and especially to the sick and our dear President Muhammadu Buhari. ACF wishes President Buhari quick recovery and early return home to continue with the daunting task of governance.

    “In the spirit of the season, ACF calls on Nigerians to embrace peaceful dialogue as the most civilised means to address grievances, rather than engage in hate speeches, threats and intimidation, that have unfortunately been trying to polarize us along tribal, regional and religious divides.”

  • Fed Govt, ACF, El-Rufai to Igbo: ignore quit order

    Fed Govt, ACF, El-Rufai to Igbo: ignore quit order

    The Federal Government last night warned Nigerians against making statements capable of undermining the country’s peace and security.

    The warning came after the ultimatum issued by some  youth groups in the North for the Igbo to leave by October or face a mass action.

    They also informed northerners living in the East to return home.

    The signatories to the declaration by the group are: Nastura Ashir Sharif of Arewa Citizens Action For Change; Shettima Yerima of Arewa Youth Consultative Forum; Aminu Adam of Arewa Youth Development Foundation; Alfred Solomon of Arewa Students Forum; Abdul-Azeez Suleiman of Northern Emancipation Network; Joshua Viashman of Northern Youth Vanguard; Mohammad A.  Mohammad of Northern Youth Stakeholders Forum; Mohammed Tasiu Pantami of North East Assembly and Nathaniel Ajegena Adigizi of North Central People’s Front.

    The groups claimed that they were incensed by the activities of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB) and the Movement for the Actualisation of Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) which have repeatedly called for a break-up of the country without being cautioned by the elders from the region.

    The groups said they were further angered by the May 30 shut down of the South East by the separatist group to mark the 50th anniversary of the Biafra declaration.

    But general condemnation yesterday greeted the Arewa groups’ action.

    Minister of Information and Culture Lai Mohammed in a statement said Nigerians were “free to reside in any part of  the country, as the government has the capacity to maintain law and order.

    “He said there was no reason for any Nigerian to feel unsafe anywhere in the country, warning that the government would not tolerate any threat to the unity, peace and security of the country under any guise.

    ”There is zero tolerance for actions and speeches capable of inciting one part of the country against another, and the security agencies are fully on the ground to deal decisively with any individual or group that engages in incendiary activities.”

    Mohammed advised Nigerians, irrespective of where they reside, to go about their daily activities without fear.

    Earlier at a briefing after the meeting of the Federal Executive Council (FEC), the minister said: “Nigeria is not new to one group or another issuing such threats.

    “The issue of one or two groups issuing statements that is capable of destabilising the polity and then being responded to by another group, I think did not just start today or did not start yesterday.

    “What I want to assure you is that security organizations are very very much on top of this matter.”

    On whether the ultimatum given by the groups was discussed at the FEC, he said: “No.”

    Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai ordered the arrest of the youth groups leaders who issued the ultimatum.

    El-Rufai, who described the northern youths leaders and their action as irresponsible, said his government would not allow Kaduna State to be used to threaten the safety and property of its citizens of Igbo extraction.

    The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) also called for caution against unguarded statements capable of breaching the peace and unity of Nigeria.

    The governor, who spoke through his media aide Samuel Aruwan, said Kaduna State Government believed in and would uphold the right of every Nigerian to live safely and develop his/her full potentials within its territory.

    He said: “The Kaduna State Government takes exception to the fact that the ‘northern youths’ did their irresponsible press conference in Kaduna. This government has been consistent in taking action to punish hate speech and incitement. People who may feel unhappy about irresponsible comments or actions that have taken place in other states must know that two wrongs cannot make a right, and they cannot use our state to do or say things that threaten the peace.

    “KDSG has therefore ordered the arrest, investigation and prosecution of the signatories to the statement.

    “Even people who may feel unhappy about irresponsible comments or actions that have taken place in other states must know that two wrongs cannot make a right.

    “Reckless disregard for the rights of other citizens drips through the press statement by these “northern youths” who have chosen to use the discourse around restructuring to promote their own agenda of hate, division and incitement. This sort of opportunists cannot be allowed to distort debate, or turn it into a pretext for a barely-disguised agenda of displacement and dispossession of some citizens.

    “We will not tolerate such irresponsible statements and conduct in our state. The statement issued by the “northern youths” violates the laws of Kaduna State. Therefore, the Kaduna State Government has directed that its Ministry of Justice should prepare charges and prosecute the signatories and anyone complicit in arranging this egregious assault on the rights of fellow citizens.

    “Preparatory to prosecution, the police have been directed to immediately arrest, interrogate the signatories to the statement and investigate all the circumstances and persons that may be implicated in the matter.

    “The Kaduna State Government urges all residents to ignore the threats from the “northern youths”. We are in contact with the leadership of the Igbo community in Kaduna, and we delighted to say that this community, like all our other communities, believes in the strength of the constitutional order to protect all citizens.”

    The ACF’s statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Muhammad Ibrahim Biu,  said ” the ACF wishes to draw the attention of all concerned, to note, that our democratic system of government which is anchored on law guarantees free movement of all Nigerians to any part of the country and to also pursue their legitimate livelihood devoid of any hindrance or molestation by any group or individuals.

    “Furthermore, the system allows settlement of all grievances through our elected representatives in both the National and States Assemblies and the Law courts. Any act to the contrary, is therefore, a breach of law and order that are not helpful.

    “ACF appreciates the frustrations of the Northern Youth Groups with the activities of MASSOB and IPOB members, but would not encourage any act that is not in conformity with the law by any  group or individuals which will do no one any good.

    “ACF, therefore, appeals for caution over unguarded utterances or statements that are capable of jeopardising the unity, peace and corporate existence of Nigeria.”

  • Call for Buhari’s resignation unnecessary – ACF

    The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has dismissed calls for the resignation of President Muhammadu Buhari due to his health condition.
    The forum said the call for Mr. President’s resignation was unconstitutional and misplaced.
    ACF in its reaction to a statement credited to the Co-convener of Bring Back Our Girls group (BBOG), Aisha Yusuf, calling on President Buhari to resign, said the call was unnecessary.
    According to a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Muhammad Ibrahim Biu, ACF said, Nigerians should pray for President Muhammadu Buhari, rather than intimidating him or calling for his resignation.
    According to the statement, “Nigeria is practising a presidential system of government as contained in the 1999 constitution (as amended). President Buhari has done what is constitutionally required of him to do by his letter to the leadership of the National Assembly. The Vice President is now Acting President, performing the duties of Mr. President.
    “In other countries, when their President fall sick or become incapacitated while in office, the citizens encourage him through prayers and good wishes, rather than intimidation or calling for his resignation.
    “We can draw a lesson from such countries and wish President Buhari well for the progress of our country.
    “The call by Aisha Yusuf co-convener of BBOG for President Buhari to resign is therefore unnecessary, misplaced and not in tune with the provisions of our 1999 constitution,” the forum stated.

  • ACF condemns attack on Emir’s convoy

    Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has condemned the Tuesday attack on the convoy of the Emir of Jema’a, Alhaji Muhammad Isa Muhammadu ll, by yet to be identified hoodlums at Samaru-Kataf, in the southern part of Kaduna State.

    ACF condemned acts of violence and destruction to lives and property in Southern Kaduna, urging various communities in the area to always channel their grievances through available constitutional means, rather than resorting to unnecessary violence.

    The forum in a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Muhammad Ibrahim, said acts of hooliganism and lawlessness by few disgruntled elements have not only disrupted the nation’s economic development but also threatened the mutual trust and harmony among its people.

    The statement said, “The attack on the convoy of the Emir of Jema’a, Alhaji Muhammad Isa Muhammadu ll, by some hoodlums on Tuesday 17th January 2017 at Samaru Kataf of Jema’a Local Government Area of Kaduna State was barbaric, callous and condemnable.”

    “It would be recalled that the convoy of the State Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufa’I, was similarly attacked on the eve of Christmas last year by some demonstrators in the same Jema’a local government where his official vehicles were smashed and vandalized by the demonstrators.

    “ACF is particularly dismayed with the frequent acts of violence and destruction to lives and property not only in Southern Kaduna but in most Northern states over issues that could amicably be resolved through dialogue and peaceful mediation.

    “Acts of hooliganism and lawlessness by few disgruntled elements have not only disrupted our economic development but also threatened the mutual trust and harmony that have been with us.

    “ACF abhors violence in any form and therefore urges the various communities in Southern Kaduna and elsewhere to always channel their grievances through available constitutional means, rather than resort to unnecessary violence with its attendant regrettable consequences.”