ACF raises fresh concern over North’s insecurity 

…warns against 2027 politicking at expense of region’s crises

The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) on Wednesday raised fresh alarm over worsening insecurity, poverty and social dislocation across Northern Nigeria, warning political actors against early 2027 manoeuvres at the expense of urgent regional crises.

ACF Chairman, Mamman Mike Osuman (SAN), delivered the charge at the 79th National Executive Council (NEC) meeting of the Forum held at its secretariat on Sokoto Road, Kaduna.

He said the strong turnout at the meeting showed members’ deep concern for the region despite the economic and physical strain involved in attending NEC sessions without any financial reward.

Osuman urged members to devote “premium time and attention” to deliberations that directly impact the lives of the downtrodden across the North.

He cautioned against “convoluted groups” already strategising for the 2027 elections while communities battle out-of-school children, hunger, poverty, banditry, kidnapping and terrorism.

According to him, although some public office holders have supported ACF financially, many remain disconnected from the Forum’s core aspirations and programmes.

The chairman reminded members that the ACF Constitution clearly defines responsibilities, conduct and communication channels, warning that some of the Forum’s platforms require caution and restraint.

He disclosed that the Finance and General Purpose Committee met for 10 hours to review ACF’s financial framework and submitted recommendations to the National Working Committee (NWC), which met the following day to approve key decisions.

Osuman commended the NWC for its diligence, explaining that the body resolves issues before presenting them to NEC for policy direction and implementation through various committees.

He stressed that NEC remains a vital organ for sustaining the socio-cultural organization and urged members to familiarize themselves with constitutional provisions guiding their roles.

The ACF chairman also announced plans to strengthen internal discipline with the creation of a Code of Conduct and Ethics Committee, presenting a nine-member list for NEC approval.

The committee is to be headed by Professor Nuhu Mohammed Jamo, a former Dean of Law at Ahmadu Bello University and consultant on the review of the 1999 Constitution.

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Lamenting developments since the last NEC meeting in August 2025, Osuman said terrorism, banditry, insurgency and kidnapping had escalated in Southern Kaduna, Katsina, Benue, Kwara and other parts of the North.

He said repeated attacks had forced families into overcrowded camps, shut down schools, crippled rural economies and restricted access to farms and healthcare.

Describing the situation as dire, Osuman said insecurity had worsened to the point where external military assistance became necessary, urging ACF state chapters to be proactive and action-driven.

As the country approaches another election cycle, he called on ACF to work with authorities to ensure peaceful, credible polls and to educate citizens on civic responsibility, while insisting that discussions at the meeting must be fact-based and solution-oriented.