Tag: ACF

Electoral Act Amendment Debacle: “Democracy under threat in Nigeria” – ACF

Aminu Imam
ACF on Electoral Act

The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), has observed with dismay the threat to democracy as a result of the controversies surrounding the Electoral Act Amendment Bills in the Senate and House of Representative. The ACF National Publicity Secretary, Prof. T. A. Muhammad-Baba, opined that the 10th National Assembly was being influenced by external forces and failing to assert its constitutional independence. The Forum is insisting on real-time transmission of election results in the proposed law, believing that it will enhance transparency and strengthen Nigeria’s democratic process. The ACF appealed to the…

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2027: “We won’t endorse any presidential candidate” – ACF

Aminu Imam
ACF on 2027

The apex northern socio-cultural group, Arewa Consultative Forum, (ACF), has said it will not endorse any presidential candidate ahead of the 2027 general election. Speaking in Kaduna, ACF National Publicity Secretary, Prof. T. A. Muhammad-Baba, disclosed that it would engage presidential aspirants within the next six months to assess their plans for tackling insecurity, poverty and other challenges facing the North. Prof. Baba said aspirants would be invited to explain their policies on education, infrastructure, economic empowerment and security. He noted that while the Forum endorsed President Muhammadu Buhari in…

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Insecurity: “Extend hand of friendship to bandits, grant them amnesty” – ACF BoT Chairman tells Tinubu

Aminu Imam
ACF tells Tinubu

Chairman of the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) Board of Trustees (BoT), Bashir Ɗalhatu, has urged the Federal Government to extend a hand of friendship to bandits and grant them amnesty. Ɗalhatu, in an interview yesterday, made reference to amnesty granted to Niger Delta militants, advocating the same for bandits. “I remember very well when there was an amnesty programme in the Niger Delta during those chaotic times. And it has worked perfectly”, he stated. He added: “They were given amnesty; they were sent to school, came back and became integrated…

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ACF@25: Northern leaders, Afenifere demand urgent national unity to confront deepening insecurity 

Aminu Imam
ACF@25 conference

Northern leaders, converging in Kaduna for the climax of the 25th Anniversary of the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), yesterday issued a stark warning that the North must urgently rebuild its unity to confront escalating insecurity.  This call was dramatically amplified by Southern Nigerian statesman, Pa Reuben Fasoranti, leader of the Yoruba socio-cultural group Afenifere, who declared the current level of violence is the worst the Nigerian State has experienced since independence in 1960. Kaduna State governor, Senator Uba Sani, represented by his Deputy Hadiza Balarabe, reaffirmed the state’s commitment to…

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ACF@25: Northern Leaders push new agenda for unity, security and development

Aminu Imam
ACF@25

…“United we stand or we fall” – Atiku’s warns Northern leaders yesterday converged in Kaduna for the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF)’s 25th anniversary, using the occasion to push for a renewed development and security agenda for Northern Nigeria. ACF Board of Trustees (BoT) Chairman, Bashir Ɗalhatu, said the region must urgently embrace modern development models to reverse its backwardness. He stressed inclusive growth, youth empowerment and bridging inequality, while warning that the celebrations were taking place amid “dire security circumstances” across the North. Former Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen.…

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ACF@25: Forum rolls out nationwide events

Aminu Imam
ACF@25

…Reaffirms commitment to unity, peace & development The Arewa Consultative Forum, (ACF), has unveiled a comprehensive three-day programme to commemorate its 25th anniversary, marking a significant milestone in its long-standing advocacy for unity, peace and development across Northern Nigeria. Addressing newsmen in Kaduna yesterday, Chairman of the ACF Board of Trustees, (BoT), Bashir Ɗalhatu, described the anniversary as an opportunity to reflect on the Forum’s journey since its establishment in 2000, honour its founding fathers, and renew its commitment to building a peaceful and prosperous region. Ɗalhatu noted that for…

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ACF leaders visit T.Y Ɗanjuma, others ahead of its 25th anniversary

Aminu Imam
ACF on 25th anniversary

Leaders of the Arewa Consultative Forum, (ACF), has paid separate courtesy visits to former Defence Minister, Theophilus Yakubu Ɗanjuma, and media entrepreneur, Nduka Obaigbena, as part of preparations for the organisation’s 25th anniversary celebration later this month. The ACF delegation, led by the Chairman of its Board of Trustees (BoT)  on Monday, Bashir Ɗalhatu (Wazirin Dutse), met with T.Y Ɗanjuma at his Lagos residence to formally invite him to the silver jubilee events, and to notify him of his selection as recipient of the Forum’s ‘Lifetime Achievement Award’. The retired…

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ACF pledges support for Tinubu-Shettima administration

Aminu Imam
ACF pledges for Tinubu

The Arewa Consultative Forum, (ACF), a prominent quasi-political and socio-cultural group in the north has pledged continuous support to the administration of president Bola Tinubu and Vice-President Kashim Shettima. The group made the pledge when its leadership paid a courtesy visit to the Vice President at the presidential villa, Abuja on Wednesday  to extend an invitation to him ahead of the 25th anniversary of the ACF. Chairman of the ACF Board of Trustees, Bashir Ɗalhatu, expressed delight over the working relationship between President Tinubu and Vice President Shettima as well…

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Northern Elders rally for $10bn regional investment

Aminu Imam
Northern elders rally for investment

…As ACF reaffirms neutrality ahead of 2027 Northern Nigeria’s two foremost socio-political blocs — the Northern Elders Forum (NEF) and the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) — have taken significant steps to reposition the region, with one focusing on economic revival and the other reinforcing political neutrality ahead of the 2027 general elections. At the just-concluded Northern Nigeria Investment and Industrialisation Summit (NNIIS) in Abuja, the NEF announced the creation of the Northern Nigeria Economic Development Council (NNEDC) — a new institution tasked with driving industrialisation, harmonising policy, and attracting investment…

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ACF urges protection for Ɗangote Refinery as ‘Strategic National Asset’

Aminu Imam
ACF on Ɗangote refinery

The Arewa Consultative Forum, (ACF), has condemned what it describes as attempts to undermine the Ɗangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals Company. It has also called for the protection of the multi-billion dollar facility as a strategic national asset. In a statement issued yesterday, signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Prof. Tanko Baba, the ACF expressed concern over what it termed “thinly disguised attempts” to sabotage the operations of Nigeria’s largest privately-owned refinery located in Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos State. The Forum listed several challenges the facility had faced since inception, including crude…

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