The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has delivered a scathing assessment of President Bola Tinubu’s administration after three years in office, describing its performance as “shambolic”, while also rejecting the one-term presidency pledge made by Peter Obi ahead of the 2027 general election.
Speaking in separate interviews at the weekend, ACF National Secretary, Tukur Baba, expressed disappointment with the Tinubu administration, citing worsening insecurity, economic hardship and what he described as the government’s failure to deliver tangible results despite changes in the nation’s security architecture.
According to Baba, banditry, terrorism and kidnappings remain widespread across the country, while many Nigerians continue to struggle with rising living costs, multiple taxes and inadequate electricity supply. He argued that despite government claims of reforms and economic progress, ordinary citizens have experienced little improvement in their daily lives.
He also questioned the progress of major infrastructure projects, including the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway and the Lagos-Sokoto Road, while expressing concern over Nigeria’s growing debt profile. Baba maintained that government policies had impacted citizens negatively and lamented what he described as the erosion of the middle-class.
Turning to the 2027 presidential race, the ACF secretary faulted Obi’s repeated promise to serve only one term and return power to the North if elected president.
Baba described the pledge as unnecessary, undemocratic and inconsistent with constitutional principles, arguing that power rotation is a political arrangement rather than a constitutional requirement.
He warned that excessive emphasis on regional power-sharing could deepen ethnic and religious divisions in the country, insisting that Nigeria should focus instead on competence, accountability and good governance.
According to him, if Obi were to emerge president and deliver strong results in office, it would be unfair to Nigerians for him to step aside after only four years because of a campaign promise.
Baba argued that voters should be free to decide whether a performing leader deserves a second term, stressing that issues such as security, education, healthcare, anti-corruption efforts and citizens’ welfare should take precedence over regional considerations.
He further maintained that Nigeria would make greater progress by moving away from tribal and region-based politics and concentrating on leadership that delivers results for all citizens regardless of ethnicity, religion or geographical origin.
