Arewa Forum Denounces Scheduled Protest as Inappropriate and Counterproductive

The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) leadership has disassociated itself from the upcoming statewide demonstration against the nation’s current economic conditions, characterizing it as ill-timed, non-purpose-driven, and potentially harmful if let to occur.

Following a courtesy visit to Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State, Mamman Osuman, the forum’s national chairman, declared that the ACF has reached an agreement over the statewide protest, which he pointed out is not in the best interests of the North or the entire nation.

As a result, the ACF urged Northerners to abstain from the demonstration.

The Northern region’s multifaceted poverty and violent crimes, which have slowed down regional development, are another issue that the ACF expressed concern about.

It did, however, commend Governor Sani for his creative approaches to social reconciliation and rural development, which it said may significantly lessen the persistent poverty and insecurity in the North.

In actuality, we have been waiting a long time for this chance to convey how much we value and support the creative rural development and social reconciliation programs that Your Excellency promised to implement in Kaduna State. We can’t wait to rejoice in these forward-thinking measures’ successful results.

“With the increasing scourge of multifaceted poverty and violent crimes ravaging the North, our rural areas stand in great need of attention and transformation.” Programs for rural development like yours, which are committed and well-funded, have the ability to significantly reduce the widespread banditry and endemic insecurity that exist throughout the nation.

“In 2000, Northern leaders, comprising of state governors, Emirs, Chiefs, and other Elders, made the wise decision to form the ACF. It took place against a comparable period of pervasive unrest and insecurity. Without regard to political, ethnic, or religious affiliation, the goal was to unite representatives of the various peoples of Northern Nigeria on a single platform. ACF is expected to function as a “Citizens” or “Elders” Council and maintain an open mind. Its purpose is to monitor matters and trends that may give birth to discord, disputes, or emergencies throughout the North and to further growth. Our state chapters use the same pattern while operating at lesser levels.

Through our varied initiatives, we at ACF are still dedicated to clearly stating and upholding the rights of the peoples of the North. Among them was the newly established Technical Committee, which examined the 1999 Constitution (as modified by the ACF). ACF’s submission to the National Assembly’s joint committees on the review of the Constitution was based on the Technical Committee’s report. We shall formally provide the Northern Governors’ Forum with our feedback.

Governor Sani, for his part, advised the state’s residents not to participate in any protests against the government, claiming that the protestors had bad intentions for the nation.

Additionally, as some have claimed, Governor Sani cleared President Bola Tinubu of conspiring against the North.

He declared, “The state governments in the North have been receiving extraordinary help from the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, to meet their numerous challenges. The story that President Tinubu opposes the North is untrue, ludicrous, and deserving of contempt. It is the product of individuals skilled at manipulating politics. Northern Nigeria’s growth is not important to them; instead, their primary concern is lining their political nests.

Like this, the Arewa Consultative Forum needs to exercise caution. The North’s descent into political and economic backwaters is mostly the result of their antics and manipulations.