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The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has pledged to back President Goodluck Jonathan to put an end to the security challenges posed by "Boko Haram".
A delegation of the Northern umbrella body led by former FCT Minister, Gen. Jeremiah Useni, said this at an interactive session with the President late Wednesday at the State House.
In an interview with the State House correspondents after the closed door meeting, Useni said they suggested some solutions to the President on the ways to curb the security challenges.
``The ACF delegation led by me came to have dialogue with the President on the present situation in the country.
``We tried to proffer some solutions and to know from them what the Government is doing and we agreed that we have to work together.
``As you know, ACF is the biggest umbrella in the North. Any other group you have and that you have been hearing about come under the ACF.
``We are not a small group at all and we always advise the government sincerely and in strong way too.''
Useni said that ACF had already taken actions by setting up a committee on the issue and would make its report available to government in due course.
He said the body was in support of dialogue as a practical means of resolving the problem.
On the Forum's reaction to the statement credited to former Head of State, General Muhammadu Buhari on 2015 general elections, Useni said that power belongs to God.
``Well, I cannot speak for them. I do not know why they say so. But God determines everything.
``However, they should not talk like that, God determines everything, our tomorrow and even our tonight."
It will be recalled that Buhari, the Presidential candidate of CPC in 2011 general elections, had reportedly warned that the 2015 general elections would be a ``fierce bloody battle’’ if the elections were not transparent.
Speaking in the same vein after the meeting, the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Dr Reuben Abati, said that Jonathan welcomed ACF and thanked the members for their support.
He said the President shared the optimism of the Forum and told members of the delegation that Government doors would remain open to them.
In attendance at the meeting were Vice President Namadi Sambo, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Sen Anyim Pius Anyim, Ministers and Presidential aides. (NAN)
