ACF never protected interests of people of Middle Belt

ACF brought peace and unity to Northern Nigeria – BOT chair

From Noah Ebije, Kaduna

As the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) unveiled activities lined up to commemorate its 25th anniversary, the Middle Belt Forum (MBF) has picked holes in the alleged nonchalant attitude of ACF towards the plight of the people in the Middle Belt region of Northern Nigeria since it was founded 25 years ago.

However, the Chairman of the ACF Board of Trustees (BOT), Alhaji Bashir Dalhatu, described the anniversary as a significant moment in its long-standing advocacy for unity, peace and development across Northern Nigeria.

Addressing journalists, Dalhatu said: “The 25th anniversary provides an opportunity to reflect on the organisation’s journey, honour its founding fathers, and reaffirm its dedication to building a peaceful and prosperous region.”

He noted that since its establishment in the year 2000, ACF has spent the past 25 years championing Northern interests, fostering peaceful coexistence and constructively engaging government on matters of security, governance and economic advancement.

Dalhatu added that ACF’s interventions have helped shape national discourse and guide communities through challenges ranging from insecurity to social and economic exclusion.

But the National Spokesman of MBF, Mr Luka Binniyat, in a chat with Daily Sun, maintained that: “In reality, the ACF has never treated the Middle Belt as an equal stakeholder in its agenda.

“ACF has repeatedly failed to speak out against or confront the violence, displacement and persecution that disproportionately affect Middle Belt ethnic nationalities. Even more troubling is its lack of support for genuine restructuring that would allow all groups, including the Middle Belt, to thrive on fair and just terms.

“From the perspective of the Middle Belt Forum, the 25th anniversary of the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) calls for honest assessment rather than congratulations. While the ACF was founded with the stated aim of promoting the socio-political and cultural interests of the old Northern region, it has never truly functioned as a forum for Middle Belt peoples.

“In fact, even its emblem and symbolism do not reflect the identity, diversity or aspirations of the Middle Belt, further reinforcing that it was never designed with us in mind.

“The ACF has consistently operated as a vehicle for advancing the interests of the Hausa, Fulani and Kanuri elites, using a few individuals of Middle Belt origin merely to project a façade of inclusiveness. But it’s all a ruse.

“For our communities, the Forum has little or nothing to show in terms of defending our wellbeing, promoting equitable development or addressing the existential threats we face,” Binniyat said.

Also, speaking on the ACF anniversary, the former Secretary-General and current member of the BOT of the Forum, Mr Anthony Sani, told Daily Sun: “So far, so good, since it could be worse without ACF in the North. Moreso that socioeconomic development is not natural order of things but attained through ceaseless hard work by not only leaders but the led as well. I have said it many times that the North speaks with one voice on political issues which most northerners share, but when it comes to partisan issues, the North does not speak with one voice. That explains why there is more than one political party in the North.”

Sani restated reasons behind the establishment of the Forum, saying: “ACF was founded 25 years ago in order to promote unity that is needed for socioeconomic development in the North in the context of one united Nigeria. The founders believed it is possible to make the most of God’s given diversity by working hard to overcome what divide the people.

“The forum has organs like Board of Trustees and National Executive Committee which are represented by all the 19 northern states and FCT.

“These organs meet occasionally to deliberate on real issues of real concern to real northerners in the hope of preventing bad things from occurring and causing good ones to happen through governors who preside over affairs of their states.

“Sometimes, leaders of the forum visit states where there are conflicts between communities in order to play conciliatory roles. Sometimes ACF visits its sister platforms such as Yoruba Unity Forum/Afenifere and Ohanaeze for express purpose of promoting national unity.”