Ismail Abdulazeez Mantu Reporting
The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has criticized President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s economic policies, describing them as insensitive to the dire living conditions in northern Nigeria.
In a communique issued after its National Executive Council (NEC) meeting on Wednesday in Kaduna, the forum lamented that the policies have exacerbated the region’s challenges and impoverished its people.
Signed by the ACF spokesperson, Tukur Muhammad-Baba, the communique urged President Tinubu to reevaluate his economic reforms, emphasizing the need for a human-centered approach. The forum asserted that the north’s interests could only be effectively championed by leaders from the region.
The ACF highlighted the acute challenges facing northern Nigeria, including food insecurity, lack of educational and vocational opportunities for youth, and widespread poverty. It warned that current federal government policies were compounding these issues instead of alleviating them.
“Economic reforms, while indeed desirable, should not impoverish the very people they are meant to serve. The people may not be alive to reap the putative benefits,” the ACF stated.
The forum called on Tinubu to “review, reassess, re-evaluate, and re-order” his economic agenda to prioritize the welfare of citizens.
The ACF criticized Nigeria’s leadership recruitment process, calling it flawed and unfit for addressing the country’s governance challenges. It decried the focus on personalities rather than policy issues, which it blamed for the poor state of governance.
“Leadership selection appears flawed, allowing individuals without competence or experience to rise to positions of power and authority. This must be addressed,” the forum noted.
The ACF urged northern governors to adopt coordinated approaches to address pressing issues in security, education, agriculture, skills acquisition, and healthcare. It also called on the federal government to remain open to constructive criticism, noting that such feedback strengthens democracy and improves governance.
The communique hinted at the ACF’s stance on the 2027 presidential election, emphasizing that the north’s interests are best served by leaders from the region.
Addressing Food and Energy Crises
The forum expressed concern over the country’s food crisis, advocating for policies that promote food self-sufficiency rather than relying on imports. It also called for urgent action to improve electricity supply, which it identified as a critical factor in addressing poverty and unemployment.
The ACF concluded by urging northern elites to take responsibility for countering negative narratives about the region and to embrace a spirit of community service. It also stressed the importance of public policy and legal frameworks in managing the region’s rapidly growing population.