The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), the apex socio-cultural group in Northern Nigeria, has announced its support for a Northern presidential candidate in the upcoming 2027 general elections.
The Group also pledged to back Northerners vying for other political offices across the country.
This declaration was made by the National Chairman of ACF, Mamman Mike Osuman, during the forum’s National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held at the ACF Secretariat in Kaduna on Wednesday.
Osuman emphasized the forum’s commitment to promoting the interests of the region, adding that unity and strategic collaboration among Northerners would play a pivotal role in ensuring their success in the next electoral cycle.
“There is now a clarion call for individual sacrifices and individual inputs for the survival of our region and the emancipation of our downtrodden people,” Osuman said.
“A sizeable number of our brothers and sisters in the region have demonstrated proclivity towards politics and political offices come 2027. They are already focusing on the 2027 elections.
“While politics is sine qua non in our clime, this present moment calls for the recognition of our Region’s plights and strategic efforts for ameliorating hardships that have beseeched on people.
“I do understand their feelings. It is not in doubt that the North is currently under siege. Our dear region is not only being viciously attacked by bandits, terrorists and kidnappers but also by sinister devices like disproportionate considerations and inequitable treatment.
“Not long ago, I received an invitation from a new body called League of Northern Democrats (LND) attached to the invitation were seven (7) pages wherein were listed 260 names most of whom were former Governors, Senators and known great sons and daughters from the North.
“I do admit that some policies of the current administration are repugnant and adverse to our interests as a region.
“ACF believes that certain policies and behaviours of our leaders within our region need some critical evaluation. It is in that vein that I raise the following questions; to what extent are our elected leaders demonstrating prudence and concern for our domestic and environmental problems?
“To what extent are our Governors and legislators synergising with our traditional leaders in combating ills that exist within our region?
“To the extent that some of our sons, daughters, sisters and brothers are sometimes criminis participants in the disquiet, ills and crimes that torment us in our region, what are we (LEADERS OF THOUGHT AND STAKEHOLDERS) doing towards arresting their evil trend and propensities.
“Have our parents, religious teachers and the elites initiated an orientation and public awareness that will educate our people on the need for self-defence and self-preservation?
“Illegal minings by foreigners aided by our people exist in some states. What local strategies are on the ground towards arresting this vice,” Osuman stated.
