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Tag: Muhammad Ibrahim Biu

  • N19.8bn welcome pay to 9th Assembly members senseless – ACF

    The mouthpiece of Northern Nigeria, the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), has described the reported N19.8bn welcome package to be paid members of 9th Assembly as unbelievable and unreasonable.

    It said: ‘The reported amount is beyond the fiduciary mark, as it does not take into account the reality of the national economy that has just been exited from recession and struggling to thrive amid a myriad of socioeconomic challenges”.

    The ACF stated that “huge payment of a welcome package of N19.8bn to the new legislators of the 9th Assembly at this time is morally preposterous”.

    The forum, in its reaction through its spokesman, Muhammad Ibrahim Biu, blamed the culture of jumbo pay to legislature on the system and the ill-conceived policy of the previous administrations that monetized entitlements of lawmakers and other political appointees.

    The ACF said: “The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) does not want to believe the media reports that N19.8bn is to be paid to the new National Assembly members as a welcome package. This is because the reported amount is beyond the fiduciary mark, as it does not take into account the reality of the national economy that has just been exited from recession and struggling to thrive amid a myriad of socioeconomic challenges that include poverty that comes with unemployment.

    Read Also: Killings in North have nothing to do with religion, says ACF

    “The huge payment of a welcome package of N19.8bn to the new legislators of the 9th Assembly at this time is morally preposterous as it makes politics to be the only trade in town which is not helpful.

    “However, we must blame the system and the ill-conceived policy of the previous administrations that monetized entitlements of lawmakers and other political appointees and sold the nation’s landed properties meant for the legislators and other political appointees to themselves without considering the aftermath effect.

    “The past military administrations were wise enough to build customized Apo Quarters and ministers’ houses in Abuja which were meant to take care of legislators and political appointees in order to enhance both effectiveness and efficiency in governance.

    “Unfortunately, the political leaders in our present democratic system sold these landed properties to themselves, thereby forcing the nation to pay jumbo packages to not only new legislators to settle for legislative session but to all other political appointees.

    “This has in turn forced some of the legislators and other political appointees to live outside Abuja in view of the ensuing high cost that makes it impossible for the nation to get value for the money paid to them.

    “The ACF, therefore, wishes to appeal to the political leaders at all levels of government to consider the interest of the suffering masses in appropriating national and state resources needed for improvement of the economy and development for the good of all, rather than for enrichment of few,” it said.

     

  • ACF tells Senators, Reps who to elect as leaders

    Mouthpiece of Northern Nigeria, the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has tasked Senators-elect and members-elect who to elect as leaders, especially Senate President and Speaker.

    ACF said the National Assembly members should put vital human and leadership qualities into consideration while electing new principal officers for the Senate and the House of Representatives in the 9th National Assembly.

    Speaking in an interview with reporters in Kaduna on Sunday, ACF National Publicity Secretary, Malam Muhammad Ibrahim Biu said, such qualities are vital cogs in moving the wheel of the legislature forwards and having a smooth though not subservient relationship with the executive arm for government to thrive.

    “The election of the 9th National Assembly principal officers is the exclusive rights and prerogative of Senators and members-elect of the National Assembly.

    Read Also: Let’s unite against insecurity, ACF charges at Easter

    “However, the political parties that provided the platform for them to be elected also have a role in choosing those to superintendent over the affairs of the National Assembly for the purpose of ensuring good coordination with the executive that are needed for delivering on the promise of democracy.

    “ACF therefore urges Senators and members-elect that in exercising their rights to elect officers of their choice, certain attributes like legislative capacity and experience, amiability, track record of selfless service, integrity, compassion of the candidates and above all loyalty to their political parties, which manifestos are used for securing the electoral mandate needed for implementation, should guide them in making the best choice.

    “More so that democracy is a majority rule in which the political party with the electoral mandate is held accountable and the minority party is expected to be a viable alternative platform for the electorates, considering that democracy without a viable opposition is spurious.

    “It should however be noted that multiparty democracy impels progress through change that comes with robust debates on issues of real concern to ordinary citizens.” ACF spokesman said.

     

  • ‘Why North dumped Jonathan in 2015’

    Mouthpiece of Northern Nigeria, the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) and one time chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Kaduna state, Alhaji Yaro Makama Rigachikun have reacted to the former president Goodluck Jonathan’s claim that the north betrayed him during the 2015 presidential election.

    ACF and the former PDP chairman in their separate reactions to the former President’s book ‘My transition hours’, said Jonathan himself did not honour his words by jettisoning the PDP zoning arrangement which favoured north in 2015.

    The ACF National Publicity Secretary, Muhammad Ibrahim Biu who reacted on behalf of forum said, “even though I have not read the book, however it is on record that Jonathan contested the 2011 and 2015 against the zoning arrangement of his party that zoned the presidential slot to the North.

    “Therefore, his assertions that Northern leaders and socio-political groups in the North worked against his presidency is rather odd, considering the circumstances at that time. Yet he won the Presidency in 2011 and the ruling party also secured 25% in some states of the North in the 2015 presidential elections.

    “It may interest you to know that his party has since admitted the oversight in the party’s 2015 winning game plan. This clearly means that leaders should always honor their words with deeds if they want to earn the respect of their followers.” He said.

    In the same vein, former Kaduna state PDP chairman and Northern Elder member, Alhaji Yaro Makama Rigachikun said two factors were responsible for Northern elites dumping former President Goodluck Jonathan in 2015 elections.

    Read Also: Why I didn’t visit Chibok – Jonathan

    Rigachikun who had defected to APC prior to the 2015 general elections disclosed that the first reason the North rose against Jonathan in 2015 was the fact that the former President had taken oath of office twice.

    According to him, “He was sworn in when late Umaru Yardua died. He was again sworn -in, in 2011 when he won that year presidential election. To the Northern establishment he was sworn in twice which was in tandem with the constitution.

    “So, to allow the former leader to be sworn in for the third time was against the spirit of the constitution and the Northern establishment would not take that.”
    According to the Northern Elder, the second reason was the issue of suspicious and distrust because the Northern establishment believed that the former leader had a hand in Boko Haram.

    However, he contended that event later proved that the former leader was not behind the insurgency, saying, as a former member of APC we came to realise that Jonathan hands was never in Boko Haram.

    Instead the PDP chieftain remarked that  the issue of Boko Haram is still very much around us, saying,  even the  President Buhari is still grappling with the issue of insurgency.

  • 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.

    Read Also: Bagudu counsel Igbo community on peaceful coexistence

    “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.

  • IPOB: Call your wards to order, ACF tells Igbo leaders, Governors

    Following threat by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) to declare 30th of May as a sit-at-home day, the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has advised the governors and elders from the South-East to call their wards to order.

    ACF while reacting to the statement by IPOB, ordering people to sit at home, described it as destructive to national cohesion. It cautioned group to desist from making moves capable of causing chaos in the country.

    The forum’s National Publicity Secretary, Muhammad Ibrahim Biu in a statement recalled that the sit-at-home order of last year by the IPOB did not only infringe on the liberty and rights of innocent and law abiding citizens residing in the South-East zone of the country, but was also hijacked by hoodlums who unleashed terror on non-indigenes.

    The statement reads in part that: “The attention of Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has been drawn to a press statement by Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) which was proscribed by the Federal Government last year, again declaring May 30th this year as a sit-at-home day in honour of not only for a Biafra state but also for those alleged to have been killed by herdsmen in 20 states of Nigeria.

    “The statement was issued by the Publicity Secretary of IPOB in the person of one Emma Powerful and widely published in the news media. ACF considers such press statement as destructive of our national cohesion. It is also a negation of our national unity comprising a people who having ended the unfortunate three (3) years of civil war, 48 years ago with “no Victor no Vanquish”, and have been working hard through the 3Rs of Reconciliation, Rehabilitation and Reconstruction introduced by General Yakubu Gowon in order to overcome what divide us.

    Read Also: IPOB threat to Ohaneze: JTF begins show of force in Anambra

     

    “Our faith in one indivisible Nigeria despite our moments of national instability and challenges, have continued to be reaffirmed by individuals and groups at different fora. We have also demonstrated it in words and deeds in our political sojourn. We cannot therefore jettison our collective sacrifice for primordial sentiments that would do no one any good.

    “The Nigerian components, like all developing nations, have challenges which can be overcome through collective hard work and due democratic process. Intimidation and threats are not viable means that give voice to people’s aspiration as it is unnecessary and unhelpful.

    “It would be recalled that the sit-at-home order of last year by IPOB did not only infringe on the liberty and rights of innocent and law abiding citizens residing in the South-East zone of Nigeria, it was also hijacked by hoodlums who unleashed terror on “non-indigenes”. We therefore cannot afford a repeat of such incidence.

    “Given the benefit of hindsight, ACF therefore calls on the South East Governors to prevail on their citizens to ignore such acts that seek to affect our sense of oneness and could also affect the economy and political stability of not only the South East but of Nigeria as a whole.

    “ACF further urges members of IPOB to listen to the wise counsel of their elders, States Chief Executives and elected political representatives at both the National and State Assemblies and opt for due democratic process. Our present democratic structure provides sufficient avenue for people to give voice to their aspirations and vent their concerns. Nigerians should therefore avail themselves to this opportunity rather than pander seek to heat up the polity.

    “ACF also calls on the Security Agencies to put in adequate measures that will ensure the safety of all citizens in every part of country.

    “ACF wishes Nigerians a Happy Democracy Day and as we approach the 2019 election year, we equally appeal to our political leaders to play the game by strictly obeying its rules to ensure a fair, peaceful and credible elections.” ACF said.

  • ACF to FG: intensify effort to rescue Leah Sharibu, Chibok girls

    ….greets Christians on Easter 

    As the apex northern socio-cultural group, the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) greets Nigerian Christians on Easter, it called on the Federal Government to intensify efforts at rescuing Dapchi school girl, Leah Sharibu and the remaining Chibok girls still under Boko Haram captivity.

    ACF also called for concerted efforts from the Federal and States governments, the Military and other security agencies, to contain the protracted cattle rustling, kidnappings and frequent farmers/herdsmen clashes in some Northern states with its devastating loss of lives and property.

    The forum in its Easter message signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Muhammad Ibrahim Biu however asked the Christians to use the period to pray for peaceful coexistence, harmony, stability and prosperity Nigerians and the country.

    It equally urged Nigerians to irrespective of their status practice the virtue of tolerance, forgiveness, self-sacrifice, good neighborliness and love for one another.

    According to the statement, “The Easter period commemorates the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Christians all over the world celebrate this season with prayers and activities self sacrifice for the common good of the society. The period also gives the Christians the opportunity to reflect on the exemplary life and good teachings of Jesus Christ, which includes his tolerance, forgiveness, love and self sacrifice for the common good of humanity,and copy same.

    “ACF wishes Nigerians, especially Christians,happy celebration.The forum also urges all Nigerians, no matter their status to practice the virtue of tolerance, forgiveness, self-sacrifice, good neighborliness and love for one another,and also continue to pray for peaceful coexistence, harmony, stability and prosperity for all.

    “ACF equally calls upon our leaders, be they political and religious at all levels, to demonstrate love, peaceful coexistence and commitment to the unity of Nigeria, free of injustice, corruption and other vices that have negatively affected our political and socioeconomic development.

    “As we approach the 2019 elections, the Forum wishes to appeal to our politicians not to see it as a do or die matter, but a contest for a credible and honest representation of the people.

    “The Forum also observes with concern the intractable menace of cattle rustling, kidnappings and frequent farmers/herdsmen clashes in some Northern states with its devastating loss of lives and property. It therefore calls for a concerted efforts by both the Federal and States governments, the Military and other security agencies, to contain the situation.

    “Furthermore, we urge the Federal government to intensify its rescue operation in respect of the remaining Chibok and Dapchi girls and others still in the custody of the suspected Boko Haram terrorists.” The forum stressed.

     

  • ACF to Boko Haram: Surrender arms, embrace FG’s amnesty offer

    The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) on Saturday asked the Boko Haram insurgents to lay down their arms and embrace the Federal Government’s amnesty offer.

    ACF said the offer of unconditional amnesty by the federal government to Boko Haram terrorists and other groups who surrender their arms, denounce militancy and then pledge their loyalty to the government is a welcome development considering the insecurity posed by the insurgents in the last nine years.

    In a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Muhammad Ibrahim Biu, and made available to journalists, ACF recalled that the Biafran agitators and Niger Delta militants who denounced their rebellion and militancy against the state were not only granted amnesty but also empowered with skills and re-integrated into the society.

    According to ACF, the amnesty is to stop the killings, destruction of property and rebellion against the state.

    It said: “So, any step taken by the government to end the current security challenges in the country cannot be too costly as long as it is done in accordance with worldwide best practices.

    “ACF therefore urges the insurgents and other militia groups to lay down their arms and embrace the federal government’s offer of amnesty as the only means to peaceful coexistence and development.”

     

     

  • ACF to OBJ: You can’t stop Buhari

    ACF to OBJ: You can’t stop Buhari

    Mouthpiece of Northern Nigeria, the Arewa Consultative Forum ( ACF ), has said that, former President Olusegun Obasanjo cannot stop President Muhammadu Buhari from running again in 2019.

    The Northern socio-cultural group said, though, the former President has right to express his opinion like any other Nigerian, the decision lies with Buhari and his party to either contest or not.

    ACF stated this in a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Muhammad Ibrahim Biu, reacting to the former President Obasanjo’s call on President Muhammadu Buhari not to seek re-election in 2019.

    According to ACF, “The statement credited to former President Obasanjo that President Buhari should not re-run 2019 election, it is his democratic right to express his view like any other Nigerian on all issues including democracy.

    “However, it is President Buhari’s prerogative and that of his party to decide on whether to re-contest or not”, the statement read.

  • ACF to Nigerians: Stop speculations on Buhari’s health

    ACF to Nigerians: Stop speculations on Buhari’s health

    The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has asked Nigerians to stop speculating and drawing conclusions on the state of President Muhammadu Buhari’s health.

    The Northern socio-cultural pressure group said a situation where Nigerians speculate and draw conclusions on the President’s state of health will do Nigeria nor anyone no good.

    The forum in a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Muhammad Ibrahim Biu however said  what Nigerians need to do at the period is to pray for their leader’s sound health to enable him serve the nation better with more vigor.

    ACF frowned at individuals whom it said were carelessly making unnecessary remarks pertaining to the health of the President.

    According to the statement, “Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has observed with concern that some individuals are carelessly making unnecessary remarks pertaining to the health of President Muhammadu Buhari.

    “What Nigerians need to do now is to pray for his good health and not to speculate or draw conclusions which will do no one any good.

    “ACF advises Nigerians to please pray for the improvement of Mr. President’s health so that he can serve the Nation with more vigor.

    “On the speculated disorder and lack of cohesion between the National Assembly and the Presidency, ACF advises the National Assembly to think of Nigeria above all other considerations,” it said.