ACF Goes tough, Calls for Members Corporate Political Neutrality 

By
ZAINAB TANIMU
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ACF Goes tough, Calls for Members Corporate Political Neutrality

Zainab Tanimu

Kaduna, Northwest Nigeria

As the critical 2027 general elections in Nigeria are drawing closer, and political activities ramping up at all levels, the Arewa Consultative Forum ACF is taking some steps in ensuring that it maintains it corporate political neutrality.

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The fact that individuals belong to different political parties not withstanding, there is need to speak with one voice.

This stance was taken today during it board meeting held at it secretariat in Kaduna.

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The Chairman Board of Trustees, Arewa Consultative Forum, Alhaji Bashir Dalhatu Waziri Dutse expressing some of their concerns had in his remarks called for a united front in tackling their issues irrespective of their different political affiliations.

“It is necessary to remind ourselves, especially officials at national and state levels as indeed all members of the ACF, to continue to maintain our corporate political neutrality.

“Although ACF members may belong to political parties of their choice, as an organization, ACF is politically non-partisan and would not support one party over the other. What we usually do at elections is to list out expected qualities of individuals who aspire to political offices.

“Even though the ACF is a regional, socio-cultural, economic and non partisan political organization, it is keenly interested in the firm establishment of a viable democracy, good governance as well as the continued survival of Nigeria as one, strong, united and indivisible country.

The forum expressed concern over some ACF officials mode of communication with outsiders, particularly the press.  lt called for caution while making statements.

“In the light of recent developments in which a number of senior officials of the ACF at both the National and State Chapters have made contradictory statements, it is necessary to discuss the matter fully and agree on some protocols.
“For the avoidance of doubt, it should be stressed that the BOT has an obligation and the authority to determine and enforce these policies. No doubt, the ACF today stands in great need of a firm protocol that should guide and regulate the manner in which officials speak about our affairs.
A draft policy document on this issue has been prepared by the Secretariat and I will share with you its salient points.
“In their wisdom, the founders of the ACF, under Section 8 subsection 6 of the ACF Constitution, made the following provisions:

“The functions of the board of trustees shall be to give general advice and direction on matters relating to the aims and  objectives of the Arewa Consultative Forum.

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Furthermore, Section 24 of the ACF Constitution provides as follows:
The board of trustees shall be responsible for the interpretation of this constitution and its decision upon any question shall be final and binding.
Also discussed at the meeting was the upcoming ACF Silver jubilee
coming up in November, 2025 which
promises to be a source of raising funds to build a befitting ACF national headquarters.

“befitting of our history, culture and aspirations, 2) launch an Endowment Fund which will enable us to participate actively in some social, economic and poverty reduction efforts in northern Nigeria, particularly the upliftment of women and youth, 3) Launching and presentation of Books.”

Bordered about the proliferation of non governmental organizations the forum called for the need to stand firm.

“Going forward, I need to draw attention to the ongoing unhealthy proliferation of non government groups and associations in the Northern States with aims and objectives clearly similar to that of ACF. Our strength lies in our unity, in pooling resources together and in speaking with one voice on all matters affecting our people and our Region.

“Back in 2000, Northern leaders including former Presidents of Nigeria of northern extraction, the state governors, the Sultan and other Emirs and Chiefs, including a cross section of the Northern intelligentsia and religious leaders came together to establish the Arewa Consultative Forum.

“The purpose is to achieve unity and gain harmony between and amongst all northerners. To do this, they had had to persuade several civil society groups such as the Turaki Committee, led by former president Shehu Shagari, the Unity and Development Foundation under Alhaji Sule Katagum and the Northern Elders Forum run by Alhaji Abdulrahman Okene, to dissolve themselves and fuse into the newly established ACF.

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“In deference to the memory of these elder statesmen, Northerners who have or are thinking of creating parallel or splinter groups should rethink their actions and come back within the ACF. There is enough room in the ACF to accommodate all Northerners!

Members of the armed forces and the security agencies were commended for their continuous efforts in fighting insecurity while they prayed for the repose of the soul of the dead ones.

“We pray for the peaceful repose of the souls of those who have lost their lives.”

ACF has described the recent calamity that engulfed the newly built Dangote’s refinery as unacceptable. It is the work of sabotours and unpatriotic elements. It called on the federal government to act accordingly in the interest of the Nigerian masses.

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