A leading member of the All Progressive Congress (APC) in Kano, Ilyasu Kwankwaso has called on the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) to focus on resolving the myriads of problems faced by the north that including banditry and kidnapping instead for attacking the President Bola Tinubu-led federal government on political issues.
Kwankwaso also advised the ACF to initiate a roundtable discussion that would involve religious, traditional and political leaders in the region regardless of their affiliations in tackling the myriad of problems confronting the region.
The APC chieftain stated this on Thursday in Kano while reacting to the recent outcome of ACF meeting which held in Kaduna where a communique was issued attacking the federal government on alleged neglect of the region.
LEADERSHIP recalls that the ACF issued a communiqué at the end of its National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held in Kaduna on Wednesday, where it expressed dissatisfaction with the current administration’s economic policies, stating that they have worsened the hardship faced by the average Nigerian.
The communiqué which was signed by ACF’s National Publicity Secretary, Prof. Tukur Muhammad-Baba, highlighted the unique vulnerabilities of the northern region, noting that its people are disproportionately affected by food insecurity, limited access to education and skills training, and reliance on microeconomic activities for survival.
Kwankwaso, Reacting to various allegations made against the current government said, “We the north should look inward on how to solve pressing menaces facing us and stop a blame game attitude of transfer of aggression on President Tinubu.”
He also said that although it is normal for the ACF to speak on issues threatening the northern states, he however counselled the forum to look for a true solution towards confronting the challenges of the region.
He added that whatever might be discussed at the roundtable with sincerity and one mind, if tabled before President Tinubu would be accorded utmost consideration and attention, “because Mr. President has listening ears to whatever issues affecting the country.
“We in the north should listen and act on what the former Sokoto State governor, Attahiru Bafarawa said, that we do not like ourselves. This is more of the reason why we have not been able to unite and face the challenges bedeviling the region.”
Kwankwaso further stated that the present problems facing, especially the north, was not started by Tinubu’s administration, but were inherited from previous administrations.
