By Achadu Gabriel, Kaduna
Northern Nigerian leaders, under the auspices of the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), have declared that everyone is culpable in addressing the severe and escalating crises facing Nigeria, particularly Northern Nigeria.
The Forum’s Board of Trustees Chairman, Alhaji Bashir Mohammed (Dalhatu, Wazirin Dutse), made these remarks in an opening speech at a meeting in Kaduna on Wednesday. He described the gathering as significant and serious, noting that it was more important than the usual routine meetings.
“This meeting was intentionally planned to be both special and serious, transcending the routine meetings of both the Board of Trustees and the National Executive Council of the Arewa Consultative Forum,” Mohammed said.
“As highlighted in our invitation letter, this meeting brings together concerned Northerners to address the grave and escalating crisis of nationhood affecting Nigeria as a whole and Northern Nigeria specifically. It is not about politics or partisanship.”
“This meeting is not meant to assign blame or point fingers at any individual or group for the North’s problems. The truth is that we are all culpable at our different levels. We owe the people of Northern Nigeria a profound apology for our collective failure to protect the region from one of the worst crises in its history,” he added.
Mohammed further explained, “The personal introductions made today reveal that many elders and thoughtful leaders from across Northern Nigeria are present. This should uplift us and encourage optimism as we move forward.”
“It is still possible to envision: One North, One People, One Destiny! The ACF, our umbrella platform, is neither pro-government nor anti-government at any level. We are pro-North. We will acknowledge good deeds but firmly resist unfair and unjust treatment against us.”
“The primary objectives of this meeting have been clearly communicated through our correspondences and discussions on social media and other platforms,” he stated.
He also outlined the two main objectives: “First, to initiate the process of revitalizing, reinventing, and re-strategizing the Arewa Consultative Forum to fulfill the role envisioned by its founders 24 years ago.”
“Second, to develop plans, preferably a roadmap, that will help our region and country address, or at least significantly mitigate, the current existential challenges,” he concluded.
