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From Noah Ebije, Kaduna
The Northern mouthpiece, Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), has knocked politicians already campaigning for the 2027 general elections, saying it was too early considering the raging hunger and socioeconomic hardship in the country that were to be addressed.
In his remarks at the National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting yesterday, ACF chairman, Mamman Mike Osuman, urged political leaders to address the needs of the people ahead of the next general elections rather than to be too committed to the election campaign, which time has not come.
“Individual utterances and media expose relating to the upcoming 2027 elections are already hitting the air waves. This momentum in my humble view, should take the back burner, while emphasis should be earnestly placed on governance that will truly address the biting needs of our people that are daily subjected to sufferings as a result of brigandage, terrorism, kidnapping, mass murders, hunger and diseases.
“While genuine desire to serve is welcomed, concerted efforts that prioritise the safety and well-being of Nigerians should be uppermost in the minds of our leaders. Notwithstanding our individual political allegiance to individual politicians, groups or ideologies, I humbly urge that we, as ACF, should in practical terms, manifest and espouse ourselves as beacons of hope for our people, by altruistically, openly and courageously preaching truth to power in the manner done by the late Martin Luther King Junior, Indira Gandhi and Nelson Mandela,” Osuman said.
The ACF also expressed bitterness over the recent killings in some parts of the Northern region.
“Only recently, we were rudely astounded with the sad news of the resurgence of the debilitating terror attacks and loss of lives and property in Bokkos, Plateau State, the gruesome assassination of northerners in Uromi, Edo State and the resurgence of Boko Haram in Borno State. The resurgence of these monstrous blood thirsty psychopaths are issues of grave concern to us all in the ACF.
“Only a few days ago, I watched the Governors of Plateau and Borno states on television, lamenting the phenomenal harm done to their citizens. While the cruel murderous attacks on the Bokkos peasant farmers and peace loving petty traders is said to be undergoing investigations, the recent resumption of Boko Haram merchants of evil on families in the North East lack conceivable explanation bearing in mind the Federal Government’s assurance of the region’s return to normalcy. The ACF’s pain and concern is aggravating as it derives from our knowledge of the recent horrendous flood that destroyed lives and property in Maiduguri town and its environs.
“It is my hope that the ACF’s recently constituted security committee will, before long, assist the ACF in appreciating the raison d’etre of the variant criminal attacks on our region. These insecurities have substantially interfered with the peaceful co-existence of our people. Farm lands are evacuated, schools are closed, petty trading is discontinued and livelihood is impaired. The ugly situations have been accentuated by recession, high cost of living, poor health care and high cost of transportation.”
The Forum equally expressed worry about land dispute between Kogi State and Enugu State, and called on the chairman of the National Boundary Commission (NBC), the Vice President, Shettima to direct the Commission to complete its assignments by erecting appropriate pillars demarcating the exact state boundary between Enugu and Kogi
“The Ette Community is an integral part of the North. It is in Kogi State populated by highly educated, skilled and peace loving people. The determination by Enugu State to illegally grab a portion of Ette land where rich mineral deposits abound has for years been resisted by our Ette brothers and sisters.
“Notwithstanding the favourable official records in favour of the fact that the contested borderline land belongs to the Ette Community, Enugu State has not only attacked, conflagrated and killed our people on the land but have also sustained inordinate pressure towards annexing the land.
“The ACF is reaching out to the Director General, National Boundary Commission and the Director in charge of inter-state boundaries of the commission to expedite action on erecting appropriate pillars to demarcating the boundary of the two states,” ACF chairman said.
