From Femi Mustapha, in Kaduna
The Northern socio-cultural group, Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), has called on Northerners to be politically proactive in 2027 to save the region from the current myriad of social, economic and political challenges.
It also encouraged and challenged Northern candidates and others who might be seeking political offices in 2027 to save the region and the country in general.
This was disclosed by the National Chairman of ACF, Mamman Mike Osuman while speaking during its National Executive Council meeting held at the ACF secretariat in Kaduna today (Wednesday.)
The ACF chieftain said the meeting was aimed at x-raying the deplorable situation the region found itself in at the moment while urging Northerners to brace up to their responsibilities in saving the region from bad governance, come 2027 elections.
“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.
“A sizable 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 the 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 behaviors 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 synergizing 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-defense and self-preservation?”
Supporting the objectives of the LND, the ACF Chairman added that the objectives have been “constituted in response to the worsening condition in Northern Nigeria, a region that has been plagued by endemic poverty, illiteracy, religious and ethnic conflicts, unemployment, insecurity, and the collapse of key institutions.
“The waning political relevance of our region within the larger Nigerian nation-state is also a matter of grave concern that the League seeks to address,” he said.
