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The Chairman of the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), Mamman Mike Osuman, has criticised the handling of insecurity and other challenges confronting Nigerians, saying some of the country’s most painful conditions were being ‘perpetrated or aggravated’ by those entrusted with leadership and governance.
This was contained in his Independence Day message to Nigerians as the country marked its 66th anniversary, amid concerns over insecurity, displacement, economic hardship, poverty and the destruction of livelihoods.
While he did not name any particular administration, the ACF chairman said the worsening conditions facing citizens should compel Nigerians to reflect carefully on the quality of leadership they entrust with public authority.
“Many of our people continue to suffer from natural disasters, insecurity, displacement, economic hardship, poverty and multifaceted forms of deprivation,” he said.
According to him, the consequences of the challenges have gone beyond insecurity to affect virtually every aspect of citizens’ lives.
“These challenges have disrupted economic activities, closed schools, separated families and in many instances, broken homes and destroyed livelihoods,” he said.
He expressed particular concern that some of the ‘painful and inhuman circumstances’ confronting Nigerians were being aggravated by those in positions of authority.
“Sadly, some of these painful and inhuman circumstances are perpetrated or aggravated by persons into whose hands we have entrusted the responsibility of leadership and governance,” he said. He said the situation required Nigerians to subject the performance of public office holders to serious scrutiny, insisting that leadership should be viewed as a responsibility to the people rather than an avenue for personal interests.
“This situation calls for sober reflection. Leadership is a sacred trust. Those entrusted with public authority must continually remember that they hold such positions in trust for the people and for the common good,” he said. With the 2027 elections approaching, Osuman urged eligible Nigerians to obtain their Permanent Voter’s Cards and participate in the electoral process, but cautioned them against voting merely on the instructions of political parties.
He said voters should independently examine candidates, their records and the issues confronting the country before deciding whom to entrust with public responsibility.
“I, therefore, once again urge all eligible citizens to exercise their civic responsibility by voting.
“However, our votes should be based on individual analysis, conscience, judgment and assessment of the candidates and the issues, rather than merely responding to the clarion calls or directives of any political party,” he stated. The ACF chairman described the ballot as a constitutional instrument through which citizens determine who should be entrusted with the affairs of the country.
“The vote of every citizen is a personal expression of choice and a constitutional instrument for determining who should be entrusted with public responsibility,” he said.
He urged Nigerians to therefore vote responsibly, peacefully and conscientiously.
He also raised concern over the potential for election-related violence, urging Nigerians, especially youths, to avoid situations that could trigger conflict before and after the elections.
“The period leading to elections, as well as the period immediately following them, can be tense and potentially hazardous,” he said.
He urged citizens to exercise restraint and avoid locations, gatherings and incidents that are known or reasonably suspected to be trouble-prone. “No political contest is worth the loss of a human life,” he declared.
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He also called for an end to inflammatory political rhetoric, provocation and destruction of property.
“Let us reject violence, inflammatory rhetoric, provocation and the destruction of lives and property.
“Differences in political opinion should never become reasons for hatred, violence or the destruction of our communities,” he said.
Beyond the immediate security crisis, Osuman challenged Nigerians, particularly those in the North, to examine the divisions and interests that have weakened collective action.
He questioned whether Nigerians had become too focused on individual interests at the expense of the wider society. “Are we increasingly circumscribed by the pursuit of ‘self’ rather than the advancement of ‘us’?” he asked.
He also questioned whether Nigerians remained genuinely united or had become divided by tribe, faith, political affiliation, personal interests, ego, relevance and self-embellishment.
“These are difficult but necessary questions,” Osuman said.
According to him, the strength of any society depends not merely on its population or resources but on unity, shared values, justice and commitment to common good.
“The North must, therefore, continually remind itself that our diversity should be a source of strength and not a justification for division,” he said.
The ACF chairman also placed responsibility on parents, elders, teachers, religious leaders and other institutions to help shape the next generation.
He said Nigerian youths must be taught honesty, discipline, tolerance, patriotism, peaceful coexistence and respect for the rule of law.
“Our youths must be taught the values of honesty, discipline, respect, hard work, tolerance, patriotism, peaceful coexistence and respect for the rule of law,” he said.
He stressed that the government alone could not address the country’s challenges, saying the responsibility for Nigeria’s future must be shared across society.
“The future of Nigeria cannot be secured by the government alone. It requires the collective responsibility of families, traditional institutions, religious leaders, educational institutions, civil society organisations and citizens,” he said.
As Nigeria marked its 66th Independence Anniversary, Osuman called for renewed commitment to peace, unity, justice, good governance and responsible citizenship. “Let us remember that Nigeria belongs to all of us. We may differ in tribe, faith, language, political persuasion and geographical origin, but our common destiny as Nigerians binds us together,” he said.
He also prayed for leaders with the wisdom, courage and humility to serve the people and steer the country through its present challenges, while praying that Nigeria would emerge from its current turbulence and vicissitudes into a future that is more peaceful, prosperous and just.
