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Tag: ACF

  • ACF worried over Igbo leaders’ silence on pro-Biafra calls

    The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) is worried over the silence of Igbo leaders over pro-Biafra calls, saying the agitators were drumming for another war and secession.

    Addressing a news conference ahead of its Annual General Assembly (AGA) holding in Kaduna today, Chairman of the National Executive Council (NEC), Ibrahim Ahmadu Coomassie, described as worrisome, the renewed agitations for the creation of the state of Biafra.

    He said: “ACF has observed the continued agitation by some Ndigbo elements for the creation of Biafra Republic. As you will recall, the issues of Biafra was settled in 1970 after the civil war.

    “We, therefore, call upon Ndigbo leaders and groups to come out, not only to condemn, but to publicly dissociate themselves from this treason against the state”

    “It is, therefore, sad that 45 years after, when Nigerians are now united, some elements are still drumming for another war and secession through ‘Radio Biafra’ and MASSOB activities.

    “The agitators for this unholy division are in their safe abode outside Nigeria and the most painful of this agitation is the silence from the elders who experienced the bitter pill of the succession attempt, 30 months civil war, and who know the consequences of such a futile agitation.

    “ACF expects Ndigbo leaders to condemn such agitations just as it condemned the Boko Haram insurgency. We cannot afford to transit from one insurgency into another.

    “We, therefore, call upon Ndigbo leaders and groups to come out, not only to condemn, but to publicly dissociate themselves from this treason against the state.”

  • ACF mourns Bauchi monarch

    Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has expressed shock at the death of a Bauchi State monarch, the Emir of Misau, Alhaji Muhammadu Manga III, who died on Monday.

    The northern socio-cultural group, in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Muhammad Ibrahim, said: “ACF learnt with total submission to the will of Allah (SWT), the death of the Emir of Misau, Alhaji Muhammadu Manga III, on Monday.”

    It described the late monarch, who ascended the throne in 1979, as a promoter of peaceful coexistence.

    The statement reads: “The late Emir aged 79 had been on the throne since 1979. He devoted his life to the progress of his people in agriculture, education and socio-economic development of the Misau Emirate and Bauchi State.

  • He was vibrant, loyal, committed politician- ACF

    He was vibrant, loyal, committed politician- ACF

    Northern Socio-cultural group, Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has expressed shock over the death of the Borno State Deputy Governor, Alhaji Zanna Umar Mustapha, who passed away in his sleep in the early hours of yesterday.

    ACF said with the passing away of Alhaji Zanna Mustapha, Borno State and indeed Nigeria have lost an illustrious son whose contributions in the service of the nation will forever be remembered.

    The mouthpiece of the North in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Muhammad Ibrahim, made available to newsmen in Kaduna yesterday, described the late Alhaji Zanna Mustapha as a vibrant, young, loyal and committed politician who served his state and the people of Borno state with passion and dedication.

    “We learnt with shock and grief the passing away of the Deputy-Governor of Borno State, Alhaji Zanna Umar Mustapha who died in his sleep in the early hours of today Saturday 15th August, 2015 in Yola, Adamawa State. ACF learnt that the Deputy Governor was in Yola to represent Borno state Governor at the convocation of Modibbo Adama University of Technology, Yola. Alhaji Zanna Mustapha was a vibrant, young, loyal and committed politician who served his state and the people of Borno state with passion and dedication. He was also at one time Chairman, National Library Board. Abuja.

    “With the passing away of Alhaji Zanna Mustapha, Borno state and indeed Nigeria have lost an illustrious son whose contributions in the service of the nation will forever be remembered.

    “ACF hereby extends its sincere condolences to his immediate family, the good people of Biu Emirate, Governor Kashim Shettima, Government and people of Borno state over this irreparable loss.

    “We pray Allah (SWT) to grant his soul an eternal rest in Aljannah Firdaus and the family the fortitude to bear this irreparable lost,” the statement read.

     

     

  • ACF tasks new govts on security, citizens’ welfare

    ACF tasks new govts on security, citizens’ welfare

    The northern socio-cultural group, Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), yesterday urged the new governments, both at state and federal levels to quickly swing into action towards delivering their promises, particularly as regards security and citizens’ welfare.

    The forum said, the change Nigerians voted for, was not all about change in government but in security and welfare of citizens.

    A statement issued and signed by the forums’ National publicity Secretary Muhammad Ibrahim stated that, “the northern region has in the last six years had its fair share of insecurity problem such as Boko haram, communal clashes, cattle rustling which have adversely affected its socioeconomic development”.

    The forum therefore commended the “peace building and community consolation on security” by the Plateau State Governor, Mr. Simon Lalong, aimed at finding a lasting solution to the incessant hostilities between herdsmen and Berom communities in Riyom, in Jos South and Barkin Ladi Local Government areas.

    According to ACF, the recent renewed clashes among the various communities that have lived together peacefully over the years in plateau state and other states in the North was not only of serious concern to the forum but a disturbing, considering the huge destruction of lives and property.

    The forum urged other states Governors to emulate the initiative of the plateau State by involved all critical stakeholders to ensure reconciliation and restoration of peace in the LGs affected with similar problems especially Benue.

  • What we want from Buhari, by ACF

    What we want from Buhari, by ACF

    The umbrella body of the North, Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), yesterday rose from its meeting in Kaduna with an agenda for President-elect Muhammadu Buhari.

    The forum said the incoming President should prioritise security of life and property, agriculture, unemployment, education and fight corruption.

    A communique issued at the end of the meeting and signed by the forum’s National Publicity Secretary, Muhammad Ibrahim, said Nigerians placed high expectations on Gen. Buhari because of his track record and knack for transparency, integrity and selfless service.

    ACF’s National Executive Council (NEC) said: “With the mandate freely given to President-elect Muhammadu Buhari on March 28, 2015, Nigerians place high expectations on the new administration in view of his track record and knack for transparency, integrity and selfless service.

    “ACF, therefore, expects the new administration to seriously consider, as its top most priority, the issues of security of lives and property, agriculture, unemployment, education, infrastructure and the need to stem the wave of corruption, which has eaten deep into the fabrics of our society.

    “…Despite the apprehension of people on the 2015 general elections and threats by some enemies of democracy, Nigerians have expressed their desire for change through the most transparent, free, fair and credible elections ever held in Nigeria.

    “For this feat, we must give our gratitude to God Almighty who, in His infinite mercy, made it possible for us to have peaceful and successful elections without any rancour or disaffection on the part of the contestants and their supporters. This has really united Nigerians more and strengthened our young democracy.

    “ACF, therefore, urges Nigerians to be more prayerful and support the incoming government of Gen. Muhammadu to achieve its vision.”

  • ACF blasts Gani Adams over call for Jega’s sack

    A northern socio-cultural group Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) yesterday blasted the Coordinator of the Oodua People’s Congress (OPC), Chief Gani Adams, over his call for the sack of the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Attahiru Jega.

    The OPC leader, according to the ACF, had called for the sack of the INEC boss on the basis of the distribution of the Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), introduction of card readers and the creation of 30,000 polling units, which he claimed favoured the North.

    The ACF, through its National Publicity Secretary, Muhammadu Ibrahim, in a statement in Kaduna yesterday noted that the body would not have reacted to the OPC leader for obvious reasons.

    The group, however, said Adams’ utterance was laughable and pedestrian, noting that the OPC leader lacked the understanding of the constitution and the electoral law.

    According to the forum, it portrayed him (Adams) as ignorant of the digital age where transparency was the hallmark of free, fair and credible elections.

    It said the utterances of the OPC leader was not only parochial, but portrayed  him as seeking political relevance.

    The ACF said: “It is not the tradition of the Arewa Consultative Forum to respond to such unguarded and misinformed statement by leaders of socio-cultural groups or any individual for that matter on national issues.

    “However, we find it necessary to respond to Chief Adams’ false claim that the creation of additional 30,000 polling units was fraudulently done by INEC to favour the North.

    “In fact, based on scientific and statistical analysis of the INEC data, the North was shortchanged. Nigeria with a total registered voter figure of 70,383,427 in 2011 and when divided by the proposed INEC 150,000 polling units across the country, every polling units in any state should have 469 voters per unit to make it easier for voters to cast their votes.”

    The statement noted that that was as a result of the hue and cry over the additional units from southern leaders that forced INEC’s creation of the 30,000 units.

    The forum said the creation of the units would not change the number of registered voters. It urged leaders at all levels to guard their utterances, especially on issues they were not properly informed.

    “Nigeria belongs to all of us and we must work towards our common interest. We should strongly emphasise what binds us together and not what divides us,” the ACF added.

     

     

     

     

     

  • ACF blasts Gani Adams over call for Jega’s sack

    ACF blasts Gani Adams over call for Jega’s sack

    Northern socio-cultural group, Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) on Monday blasted the Coordinator of the Odua People’s Congress (OPC), Chief Gani Adams over his call for the sack of the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Attahiru Jega.
    The OPC leader, according to the ACF, had called for the sack of the INEC boss on the basis of the distribution of the Permanent Voter Cards (PVC), introduction of card readers and the creation of 30,000 polling units, which he claimed favour the north.

    The ACF, through its National Publicity Secretary, Muhammadu Ibrahim, in a statement in Kaduna on Monday, noted that the body would not have reacted to the OPC leader for obvious reasons.

    The group, however, said Adams’ utterance was laughable and pedestrian, noting that the OPC leader lacks the understanding of the Nigerian Constitution and the electoral law.

    According to the forum, it clearly portrayed him (Adams) as ignorant of digital age where transparency is the hallmarks of free, fair and credible elections.

    It said the utterances of the OPC leader not only as parochial but one portrays him as seeking political relevance.

    The ACF said: “it is not the tradition of the Arewa Consultative Forum to respond to such unguarded and misinformed statement by leaders of socio-cultural groups or any individual for that matter on national issues.

    “However, we find it necessary to respond to Chief Adams false claim that the creation of additional 30,000 polling units was fraudulently done by INEC to favour the North.

    “In fact, based on scientific and statistical analysis of the INEC data, the North was actually shortchanged. Nigeria with a total registered voter figure of 70,383,427 in 2011 and when divided by the proposed INEC 150,000 polling units across the country, every polling ubits in any state should have 469 voter per unit to make it easier for voters to cast their votes.”

    The statement noted that was as a result of the hue and cry over the additional units from Southern leaders that forced INEC’s creation of the 30,000 units.

    The forum added that the creation of the units would not change the number of registered voters, calling on leaders at all levels to guard their utterances, especially on issues they were not properly informed.

    “Nigeria belongs to all of us and we must work towards our common interest. We should strongly emphasize what binds us together and not what divides us,” the ACF added.

  • ACF, others lampoon Fayose over comment on Jega’s removal

    ACF, others lampoon Fayose over comment on Jega’s removal

    Former Inspector General of Police and chairman of the Arewa Consultative Forum,Alhaji Ibrahim Coomasie and other prominent Nigerians have condemned Governor Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti State,for saying that heaven will not fall if Prof. Attairu Jega, the Independent National Electoral Commission ( INEC) chairman is removed.

    They described the governor’s recent utterances as reckless and unworthy for serious minds to consider.

    Coomasie warned the governor to be mindful of his utterances.

    “Fayose is opening his mouth too wide. The other time, it was about the death of General Buhari, now it is that heaven will not fall if Jega is removed. Who the hell does he think he is?” the former IGP said in an interview.

    “He has to be very careful. We are believing newspaper reports about how he emerged as governor of Ekiti State. It is better he keeps his mouth shut. As a public officer, he should learn to talk sensibly. “

    Dr Junaid Mohammed, Second Republic federal lawmaker said the governor’s statement is dangerous and stupid, adding that Fayose would not have been doing what he is doing if he does not have the full support of the president and the PDP.

    He said that the likes of FemiFani-Kayode, Doyin Okupe, Reuben Abati , Olishe Metuh and Osita Chidoka and Fayose are playing to a certain sentiment. “Their purpose is to have the election cancelled and by so doing scuttle our democracy because they fear that they are not going to win the election.

    “ All they have been saying is an instruction from the President. They are out to look for an alibi for the election not to hold so that they can come up with a government of national unity.”

    Prominent jurist, Prof Itse Sagay, said the phrase used by the governor is not meant for creatures him because it is a legal term.

    “ Fayose’s comment is not to be taken seriously. He is a clown and an ulcer in the polity. The expression he used is a legal term used by judges when doing things according to the rule of law and righteousness. It is not meant for creatures like Fayose and it is not meant for covering up crime or rigging of election.

    “His action is capable of causing destabilization and social upheaval. He has succeeded in creating that in his state and is trying to spread it across the country,” he said.

    A Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Chief Ladi Williams, said the comment is political and “not meant for people of serious minds to consider. He can’t speak for the nation, therefore, his statement should be treated with ignominy. The removal of Jega can only be done through our extant laws.

    Retired Police Commissioner, Abubakar Tsav also frowned at the governor’s comment describing it as irresponsible.

    His words: “He appears to be the mouth piece of the President. If he is not, the president would have cautioned him. The PDP and the President are looking very desperate to remain in power. The party should caution him because he should not hide under the cover of immunity he enjoys as a governor to be making reckless statement.

    Former president of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief Dozie Ikedife said: “ If the statement was made by a serious minded person, I would have reacted. He is not a serious person that should warrant any reaction.

    “Before the president can think of removing Jega, he must think about the legality and the consequence. If he is removed, elections will be postponed indefinitely and that will lead to chaos,” he added.

    Barrister Collins Dike, Secretary General of Rivers Lawyers Network opined that the governor’ s comment should not be ignored, noting that: “The President is always using people like him to fly a kite. When the President has an agenda to carry out, he would use people like Fayose to test the waters.

    “He did that with the likes of Edwin Clarke when before the election was postponed. The laws are there to call Fayose to order because nobody is above the law. He thinks heaven will not fall because he enjoys immunity. It is unfortunate that the institutions vested with the power to protect the laws have failed the country, he said.

  • ACF: we are disappointed

    ACF: we are disappointed

    The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has expressed disappointment over the postponement of the general elections.

    ACF lamented that the security chiefs, who earlier assured that they were prepared for the election to hold as scheduled, could make a sudden U-turn.

    A statement by the forum reads: “Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) received with disappointment the INEC’s decision to re-schedule the elections slated for February 14 and 28, citing security challenges in the states of Adamawa, Borno, Gombe and Yobe as the main reason.

    “ACF appreciates the concern of the security agencies and Nigerians regarding the security situation in the Northeast region and the urgent need to put an end to the insurgency, which has been on for so long.

    “However, the earlier assurances given to Nigerians by the security chiefs that elections would definitely hold as scheduled heightened the enthusiasm of Nigerians to look forward to the scheduled February elections.

    “The political parties and NGOs embarked upon vigorous campaigns and sensitisation programmes on the need to a free and fair elections. Unfortunately, seven days to the election, the hopes of Nigerians were dashed by the same military authorities, despite INEC’s submission of their preparedness and its determination to conduct a free, fair and credible election.”

    The group added: “ACF and indeed all Nigerians have no option but to accept the security reasons advanced by INEC and to have faith in our security agencies’ determination to bring an end to this insurgency.

    “ACF particularly welcomes the collaborative effort of our neighbouring countries (Chad, Cameroon and Niger) to rid the Northeast region of the Boko Haram insurgency as promised by the Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh.

    “The security chiefs should remember that as representatives of the Nigeria Armed Forces, Nigerians will hold them on their words.”

  • ACF: ex-militants’ attack on TY Danjuma irresponsible

    ACF: ex-militants’ attack on TY Danjuma irresponsible

    A northern socio-cultural group, Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), has described the statement credited to ex-Niger Delta militants, Mujahideen Asari-Dokubo, Government Tompolo and others as irresponsible and a threat to national security.

    The ACF, in a  statement yesterday by its National Publicity Secretary, Muhammad Ibrahim, said: “The attention of ACF has been drawn to the statement credited to the Niger Delta ex- militants in the persons of Alhaji Mujahideen Dokubo-Asari, Mr. Victor Ben Ebikabowei (aka. Boy Loaf), and Government Ekpemupolo (aka. Tompolo) that President Jonathan’s victory in the 2015 presidential elections is not negotiable and should Jonathan lose, it would be seen as direct attack on the Ijaw nation.

    “They also threatened to unleash violence on the country and take back the Niger Delta oil.

    “”In reaction to this irresponsible statement by the ex-militants, notable Nigerians, including Gen. TY Danjuma, a patriot and one of the most respected Northern leaders, who cherish the unity and peaceful coexistence of Nigeria as a united entity, condemned in strong terms this reckless and unwarranted threat to the sovereignty of Nigeria by the ex-militants.

    “In fact, Gen. Danjuma called for the arrest of the ex-militants for making such provocative and inflammatory statements and maintained that the unity of  Nigeria cannot be negotiated. This statement is what is expected of an elder statesman and government officials who have sworn to protect and defend the unity of Nigeria.

    “Most unfortunately, the threat was made by the Ijaw ex-militants in the presence of a democratically elected governor of Bayelsa State, Rt. Hon. Seriake Dickson and the Special Adviser to the President on Amnesty, Mr. Kingsley Kuku.

    “Sadly too, there has been a deafening silence on the part of the Federal Government and the security agencies. This has encouraged the militants to further issue a direct threat to Gen. Danjuma by giving him a seven-day ultimatum to withdraw his statement or face their wrath.

    “The threat to attack the business outfits of Gen. Danjuma in the Niger Delta by another group of militants for rightful condemnation of their polity reeks of lawlessness and therefore not acceptable.”

    The Northern group said it would, therefore, not accept any threat to Danjuma’s person or business assets or to any law abiding citizen by any group or individuals in the name of militancy.

    The statement added: “ACF wishes to remind the Niger Delta militants that President Jonathan did not ascend to his present position through threats and intimidation, but rather through democratic means of canvassing for votes without any form of molestation throughout the length and breadth of Nigeria in 2011.

    “The same process the president and other candidates vying for the office shall go through to emerge as Nigeria’s President in 2015 and not through intimidation, threats and ultimatum.

    “ACF, therefore, views such threats and intimidation by the ex-militants as an affront not only to Gen. Danjuma, but an attack on a democratically elected Federal Government, which President Jonathan presides.”

    It called on the Federal Government and the security agancies to take necessary steps and contain the emerging threat to national security by Niger Delta ex- militants to avert any consequences.