The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has raised serious concerns about the worsening conditions in Northern Nigeria under President Bola Tinubu’s administration. The forum has pointed to poor socio-economic policies as the main factor behind the region’s deteriorating state, and warned that without urgent interventions, the North may face even greater challenges in the near future.
In a meeting held in Kaduna on Tuesday, ACF Chairman Mamman Mike Osuman (SAN) expressed that the North is “under siege.” He highlighted several key issues, including rising insecurity, inequitable treatment, and increasingly dire economic conditions that are afflicting the region. “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,” Osuman said, stressing the need for collective action to address these pressing problems.
The ACF chairman urged stakeholders, including elected officials, traditional leaders, and religious institutions, to take greater responsibility in solving the region’s challenges. He particularly emphasized the need to prioritize domestic and environmental issues that are exacerbating the difficulties faced by Northern Nigerians. “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 declared.
In addition to these concerns, Osuman also raised questions about the role of traditional leaders and elites in addressing critical issues such as insecurity, illegal mining, and public awareness. He called for a more proactive approach to solving these long-standing problems, noting that the region needs both political and social leadership that can tackle the root causes of its struggles.
The ACF’s warnings come at a time when political leaders in the North are already preparing for the 2027 elections. Osuman acknowledged the growing interest in politics, with many from the region looking toward future political office. However, he stressed that while politics is an essential part of the conversation, it should not overshadow the urgent need to address the region’s immediate crises. “This present moment calls for the recognition of our region’s plights and strategic efforts for ameliorating the hardships that have besieged our people,” Osuman said.
In his remarks, Osuman highlighted the emergence of the League of Northern Democrats (LND) as a potential force for positive change in the region. He commended the group for its commitment to addressing the North’s challenges and urged further collaboration with other regional leaders to push for meaningful reforms. The LND’s formation is seen as an important step in uniting political and social forces in the North to confront the region’s issues head-on.
