The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has said that the leaders in the North are responsible for the woes of the region.
According to the region’s socio-political organization, the Northern elite, and not President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, should be blamed for the poor socio-economic condition and underdevelopment of the region.
ACF Chairman Mamman Mike Osuman emphasised that although some policies of the current administration are unacceptable to the region, President Tinubu is not responsible for its problems.
In more than two decades, North’s three geo-political zones – Northwest, Northcentral and Northeast – have been battling with insecurity, banditry and socio-economic challenges, including poverty, mass unemployment and infrastructural deficits.
The ACF leader said its newly established ‘ACF Radio’ would be used to sensitise the people of the region to the damage done by these vices and mobilise the people for problem-solving.
Osunma, who spoke during the ACF National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting, chided north’s leaders for not finding solutions to these challenges from within.
He said ACF had welcomed the setting up of the League of Northern Democrats, led by Senator Ibrahim Shekarau, urging the group to let charity begin at home.
Lamenting that these problems have persisted, he charged the leading lights to proffer solutions.
Osuman said: “I do admit that some policies of the current administration are repugnant and adverse to our interests as a region. ACF believes that certain policies and behaviours of our own leaders within our region need some critical evaluation
“It is in that vein that I raise the following questions: to what extent are our elected leaders demonstrating prudence and concern for our domestic and environmental problems?
“To what extent are our governors and legislators synergising with our traditional leaders in combating ills that exist within our region?
“To the extent that some of our sons, daughters, sisters and brothers are sometimes criminals who participate in the disquiet, ills and crimes that torment us in our region, what are we leaders of thought and stakeholders doing towards arresting the evil trend and propensities.?
“Have our parents, religious teachers and the elite initiated an orientation and public awareness that will educate our people on the need for self- defence and self-preservation?
“Illegal minings by foreigners aided by our own people exist in some states. What local strategies are on ground towards arresting this vice?
Osuman added: “It is not in doubt that the North is currently under siege. Our dear region is not only being viciously attacked by bandits, terrorists and kidnappers, but by sinister devices like disproportionate considerations and inequitable treatments.”
