From Femi Mustapha, in Kaduna
The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has said that leaders of the Northern region owe the people deep apologies for collective failure to protect the region from falling into one of the worst crises in its history.
The Chairman of the Forum’s Board of Trustees, Alhaji Bashir Mohammed Dalhatu, stated this during a meeting held in Kaduna today (Wednesday).
According to him, the meeting was not designed to be an avenue to apportion blame or point fingers at any individual or group of individuals for the problems of the North.
He said “As a matter of fact, we owe our people, the people of Northern Nigeria, deep apologies for our collective failure to protect the region from falling into one of the worst crises in its history.
“As you might have noticed, this meeting was deliberately planned to be both special and serious; one that goes beyond the routine meetings of both the Board of Trustees and the National Executive Council of the Arewa Consultative Forum, ACF.
“As earlier highlighted in our letter of invitation, this is a meeting of concerned Northerners against the background of the grave and escalating crisis of nationhood plaguing Nigeria in general and Northern Nigeria in particular.
Alhaji Mohammed opined that, the main issue is neither about politics nor about partisanship, noting that leaders at different levels are all culpable.
He, however, maintained that “It seems possible yet again to envisage: One North, One People, One Destiny! The ACF, our umbrella platform, is neither pro-government nor anti-government at any level. We are pro-North. We shall acknowledge good deeds but will firmly resist unfair and unjust treatment against us.
The Chairman highlighted some issues in the Country, such as the security of lives and properties, the menace of drug trafficking and abuse with no end in sight, deepening levels of poverty, destitution, and hunger, growing joblessness, especially among the youth and the twin calamities of almajiri.
He added that the most serious impediment to the realization of the dreams of peace, security, and development is corruption at all levels, in and outside government offices.
“At the moment, nothing is troubling the North more than insecurity. The historically quiet, peaceful, and prosperous North is today ravaged by Boko Haram and other insurgencies, banditry, as well as other violent crimes.
He therefore, called on leaders at all levels to unite and draw up plans, or a road map, that would help the region and country address or at least significantly mitigate the current existential challenges plaguing it.
“Deepening levels of poverty, destitution, and hunger; growing joblessness, especially among the youth and the twin calamities of almajiri and street children, are all crying for solution.
“There does not appear to be any end in sight. Because of the strife, food production is becoming increasingly difficult as farmlands are abandoned, and the farmers are either killed or fleeing to the IDP camps. Whatever it takes, this crisis has to end and end quickly. Our survival depends on it.
“The dreaded aftermath of climate change seems to be upon us. And with it have come extreme weather events: drought, floods, environmental degradation, and more. Mitigation and other measures must be taken urgently before it becomes a fully blown emergency.
“Corruption fosters bad governance and bad governance, as we all know, leads to a riot of evils including distortion of moral values, treasury looting, injustice, misplacement of priorities, etc. Nigeria today stands in urgent need of an all-out war against corruption.
“The effectiveness and sanctity of Traditional Institutions have been critically undermined by political pressure. As a result, their standing with their subjects, influences, and authority has been eroded.
“Security, law and order, conflict prevention, and resolution are all impaired as a result.
Addressing this problem must count as a priority for the North.
“Going by the pronouncements and actions of some officials of the federal government especially in view of recent pressures coming from some self-serving groups, the presidency may not be averse to making a similar attempt at an unnecessary constitution review before the end of their tenure.
“Whether or not the federal government sponsors one or more exercises at constitutional review, it is necessary to dispel the impression that the North is shy, or is averse to or afraid of any review of the Nigerian Constitution. Nothing can be further from the truth.
“We must put all and sundry on notice that the North is ready, now and in the future, and will be willing to consider any proposals for changing the constitution as well as the administrative structure of Nigeria that may be put on the table. If and when the occasion arises, the North will surely use whatever is available to it in pursuit of its legitimate interests.
