The Arewa Consultative Forum has announced its support for northern candidates vying for the presidency and other key political offices in the 2027 elections.
The forum believes that such leadership is crucial for addressing the pressing challenges facing the northern region and the country as a whole.
During its National Executive Council meeting in Kaduna State, the ACF expressed deep concerns over the worsening economic situation in the North under the leadership of President Bola Tinubu.
The forum attributed this decline to what it called the “poor socio-economic policies” of the federal government, which it argues have exacerbated the region’s already fragile condition, according to Channels TV.
ACF warned that unless urgent corrective measures are taken, the North could face severe economic hardships. In light of this, the forum announced its intention to support northern politicians who are committed to rescuing the region and the country during the 2027 general elections.
A communique issued by the ACF’s National Publicity Secretary, Professor Tukur Muhammad-Baba, criticized the leadership selection process under President Tinubu’s administration, alleging that it has allowed individuals with insufficient competence or experience to attain positions of power.
The forum also called for a reassessment of the federal government’s economic policies, urging the government to adopt measures that prioritize the welfare of citizens, especially in the North.
Security issues were also highlighted as a primary concern for the forum. The ACF emphasized that insecurity in its various forms remains the most critical challenge facing the people of the North, undermining government authority and fueling widespread dissatisfaction. The forum called for stronger efforts to address the persistent security threats, asserting that the government’s failure to safeguard lives and property is unacceptable.
The communique further expressed the forum’s displeasure with the current economic policies, which it argued have worsened the plight of ordinary Nigerians, particularly in the North. ACF noted that the region, already disadvantaged economically, faces significant challenges such as food insecurity and a lack of education and skills development for its youth. Despite these challenges, the forum expressed optimism that the region’s situation could improve if bold, forward-thinking policies are implemented.
ACF stressed that while economic reforms are necessary, they must not impoverish the very people they are meant to benefit.
“Security is an irreducible minimum of human existence. In this regard, insecurity in its various manifestations remains the most worrisome challenge of Arewa people, that has even started to corrosively undermine the authority of government; such that people have started to ask what the purpose of government is!” the communique read.
“That those whose responsibility that it is to provide security will be saying they are doing their best is unacceptable. The minimum duty of government is to safeguard life and property, and doing anything less is a failure.
“Members expressed displeasure at the current and continuing improvisation of the proverbial common men and women in the country due to the economic policies of the current administration.
“The Meeting noted in particular that Arewa people remain at great disadvantage, being already relatively worse off economically, compared to other parts of Nigeria. Livelihoods are currently dependent on micro activities. The region faces acute and chronic food insecurity; its youths lack education and skills training. Daunting as these may be, they can be reversed. The time to think big is now.
“Notwithstanding the parlous state of Arewa’s glaring challenging economic conditions, the policies of current Federal Government has continued to make matters much worse, with little indications of needed sensitivity to the precarious existential conditions of Arewa people. Succinctly stated, economic reforms while indeed desirable, should not impoverish the same people that they are meant to serve; the people may not be alive to reap the putative benefits,” the forum stated.
