The Arewa Consultative Forum has condemned politicians embarking on early campaigns for the 2027 general elections, urging them to focus on addressing the country’s pressing issues.
Speaking at its National Executive Committee meeting in Kaduna on Thursday, the ACF chairman, Mamman Mike Osuman, said the emphasis should be on governance that addresses the needs of Nigerians rather than election campaigns.
Osuman also expressed concern over recent killings in the northern region, particularly in Plateau, Edo, and Borno states, and the ongoing dispute between Kogi and Enugu states over the Ette Community land.
He also highlighted the economic hardship faced by Nigerians, including the high cost of living, poor healthcare, and expensive transportation.
He said, “Individual utterances and media exposure relating to the upcoming 2027 elections are already hitting the airwaves. 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 who are daily subjected to sufferings as a result of brigandage, terrorism, kidnapping, mass murders, hunger and diseases.
“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.
“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 ugly situations have been accentuated by recession, high cost of living, poor health care and the high cost of transportation.”
Expressing disgust over the early election campaign start, the ACF called on politicians to prioritise governance and address the needs of Nigerians rather than focusing on election campaigns.
“While genuine desires to serve are welcome, concerted efforts that prioritise the safety and well-being of Nigerians should be uppermost in the minds of our leaders,” the ACF chairman added.
The ACF also urged the National Boundary Commission to expedite the demarcation of state boundaries to resolve disputes.
“ACF is reaching out to the Director General (DG) of the National Boundary Commission and the Director in charge of inter-State Boundaries of the commission to expedite action on erecting appropriate pillars to demarcate the boundary of the two States,” Osuman said.
This is just as the ACF called for support for communities affected by insecurity and land disputes, saying, “We must say here that those who want to lead Nigeria, those who are clamouring that we must have a new country where things are done differently, must be seen to obey the laws of the land.”
