Tag: Northern Elders Forum

2027: Northern Elders Forum plan regional summit, discuss unified voting pattern

Aminu Imam
NEF plan summit

With political realignments already taking shape ahead of the 2027 general elections, the Northern Elders Forum (NEF) and the National Political Consultative Group yesterday began moves to convene a high-level summit of northern leaders to discuss a unified voting pattern and restore regional cohesion. The plan, according to organisers, will involve traditional rulers, religious leaders, and political stakeholders across the 19 northern states to re-awaken the spirit of inclusiveness once championed by the Late Premier of Northern Nigeria, Sir Ahmadu Bello. Speaking at an expanded meeting in Abuja yesterday, the…

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NEF condemns CBN appointments, warns against marginalization of North in National Governance

Aminu Imam
NEF condemns

During a policy meeting in Kaduna, the Northern Elders Forum, (NEF), has pointed to the latest appointments at the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) as a troubling example of growing imbalance. Out of 15 new Directors recently appointed by the CBN, only four are from Northern Nigeria. ‎The NEF described this as clear evidence of regional exclusion in key national institutions. It said such patterns are not random but reflect deliberate choices that may deepen national divisions. ‎The NEF also raised alarm about the recent relocation of several CBN departments…

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NEF decry infrastructure neglect, demand fair treatment from FG

Aminu Imam
Northern Elders decry2

The Northern Elders Forum (NEF) has strongly criticised the Tinubu administration for excluding Northern Nigeria from key infrastructure projects, describing it as unacceptable and a threat to national unity. In an issued statement signed by NEF spokesperson, Prof. Abubakar Jika Jiddere, the group accused the federal government of disproportionately allocating infrastructure funds to Southern Nigeria, while major roads and rail lines in the North remain neglected—especially in the North East, the region most affected by insecurity and underdevelopment. NEF pointed out that while projects like the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway (₦1.3…

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Northern Elders Forum condemns arrest of Professor Usman Yusuf by EFCC, demands for his immediate release

Aminu Imam
Northern Elders' Forum endorse3

The Northern Elders Forum (NEF) has strongly condemned the arrest of Professor Usman Yusuf, a renowned academic and hematology-oncology expert by operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), describing it as politically-motivated. According to a press statement released by the NEF, Professor Yusuf was taken into custody at his Abuja residence on Wednesday, January 29, 2025, around 4:30 p.m. On Thursday, January 30, 2025, the Professor was arraigned before the Federal High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), presided over by Justice Chinyere E. Nwecheonwu. However, the…

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Hardship Protest:”Tinubus speech didnt show concern on rising banditry” Northern Elders Forum

Aminu Imam
NEF on Tinubu's speech

The Northern Elders Forum (NEF) has expressed its dismay that President Bola Tinubus speech on the #EndBadGovernance protest did not touch the issue of banditry, which the group said has caused more deaths and destruction in the northern regions of the country. The NEFs spokesperson, Abdul-Azeez Suleiman, who stated this in a statement yesterday, said armed banditry is causing severe humanitarian crises in the regions that the presidents speech should have noted to demonstrate his political will to address the problem. Recall that President Tinubu, on Sunday, addressed Nigerians after…

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Northern Elders decry onslaught against ?angote Refinery

Aminu Imam
Northern Elders Forum decry

The Northern Elders Forum (NEF) says it is watching with sustained interest, the unfolding drama being orchestrated by some powerful vested interests to frustrate the good example which the nations leading investor and entrepreneur, Aliko ?angote, represents by defying all formidable odds to build a private-owned petroleum refinery in Nigeria. In an issued statement in Abuja yesterday, signed by the NEF convener, Professor Ango Abdullahi, the NEF noted that ?angote Refinery, which is reputed to be the biggest single-train refinery in the world, is a technological marble that showcases the…

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NEF condemns eviction order against Northerners in Delta

Aminu Imam
NEF condemns

The Northern Elders Forum (NEF) has strongly condemned the recent eviction order issued to northerners residing in Avavo, Delta State, as reported by the Hausa Service of the British Broadcasting Corporation, (BBC). NEF Director of Publicity and Advocacy, Abdul-Azeez Suleiman, in a statement issued yesterday, said the action was deeply concerning and unacceptable. He said, According to the BBC report, the ejection order fails to distinguish between northerners as a race and the criminal activities of a few individuals. It disregards that most northerners are not Fulani, most Fulani are…

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“Its terrible mistake to assume North can be marginalised” Northern Elders Forum

Aminu Imam
Northern Elders

The Northern Elders Forum, (NEF), has affirmed that the rest of the country will make a terrible mistake if it assumes that the current challenges around security and weak economy have turned the North into marginalised elements in the scheme of things in Nigeria. Spokesman of the Forum, Abdul-Azeez Suleiman, stated this while delivering a speech at an induction ceremony at Zazzau School of Health Technology, Zaria, in Kaduna State. He said the North would continue to play a significant role in the affairs of the nation; would remember those who…

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?Kano Emirate Tussle: Northern Elders urges Govt., politicians Kwankwaso, Ganduje to exercise caution

Aminu Imam
Northern Elders

The Northern Elders Forum, (NEF), says it is extremely worried and profoundly agitated by the recent events in Kano, where emirates have been multiplied and traditional rulers dethroned and replaced, saying it is a clear example of the struggles faced by traditional rulers in the country. A statement issued bythe NEF’s Director, Publicity and Advocacy,Abdul-Azeez Suleiman,, said the Forum is worried that the recent crisis surrounding the emirate in the State has raised tensions and concerns among the public. The NEF urged Kano State Government and politicians involved to exercise…

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“You’re political paperweights” – Matawalle slams Northern Elders Forum

Aminu Imam
Bello Matawalle

Says threats against Tinubu ridiculous Minister of State for Defence, Bello Mohammed Matawalle, has launched a scathing attack on the Northern Elders Forum (NEF) for its criticism of the present administration, dismissing the group as a political liability to northerners and asserting that it does not represent the region. In response to remarks made by Abdul-Azeez Suleiman, the Forums spokesperson, expressing regret over the norths support for President Bola Tinubu, Matawalle labelled the group naive. My attention has been drawn to the threats issued by the Northern Elders Forum (NEF)…

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