The apex northern sociocultural group, Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), has called on northern leaders and citizens to remain vigilant, united, and committed to regional peace amid worsening insecurity, political deceit, and environmental challenges.
During the Forum’s 78th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting held on Thursday in Kaduna, ACF Chairman, Chief Mamman Mike Osuman SAN, warned that complacency and misinformation within northern leadership circles could deepen the region’s crises.
According to the chairman, “This is not the time to sit on the fence or, like the ostrich, hide its head in the sand under the delusive pretext that it sees nothing,” Osuman charged.
“We must remain united and resolved against imperfections, avarice, misgivings, deceit, misinformation, misdirection and incongruities.”
The chairman led a solemn moment to honour the memory of eminent northern leaders recently lost to death, including Chief Audu Ogbeh, Professor Jubril Aminu, Alhaji Aminu Dantata, Justice Muhammad Lawal Uwais, Alhaji Umar Moriki, and former President Muhammadu Buhari (GCFR).
He said, “These are painful losses. Our region has suffered deep personal and collective pain from the loss of children, middle-aged men and women, and the aged, to natural causes, flood, drowning, and to evil criminals, psychopaths, gangsters, bandits, marauders, and terrorists,” he said.
He called for introspection and prayers, saying the Forum remains deeply concerned about the toll of insecurity and disasters on lives in the North.
Osuman restated ACF’s strict non-partisan stance, emphasising that while individual members are entitled to personal political views, the Forum would not be associated with any political party.
“ACF, to all intents and purposes, absolutely remains aloof and does not belong to any political party but is nonetheless, stoically, unapologetically, unreservedly, and passionately attached to the mission of the salvation of the North and its people—without prejudice to the indivisibility and sovereignty of Nigeria,” he stated.
He revealed that the Forum had extended an invitation to the Forum for National Restoration, which was scheduled to address members during the NEC session. This was in line with ACF’s constitutional mandate to collaborate with organisations that share similar objectives.
Osuman disclosed that preparations were in top gear for the Forum’s 25th Anniversary (Silver Jubilee), tentatively scheduled for October 15–30, 2025.
“All hands are on deck towards this Jubilee celebration. Committees are already working. I’ve sat in some of their meetings, and I must say, the discipline, scope, and depth of their work is amazing,” he noted.
He assured that the Secretary-General would give further briefings on the planned celebrations during the closed-door session.
The ACF chairman also warned members against spreading unverified or radical opinions on the Forum’s Rapid Response Platform, urging members to seek guidance through state chapters or directly from the headquarters at No. 11A Sokoto Road, Kaduna.
“Some of our Rapid Response Platform posts are informative and enlightening. However, some are radical and misleading. Members must be cautious,” he warned.
Osuman said the meeting’s agenda comprised 12 items, including updates on the Forum’s registered company, ARECON, and the long-standing ETTE issue, which the Secretary-General and Professor Matthew Abula would address.
The popular “State of the Nation” discussion—Item 10 on the agenda—was billed as being presented by the Forum’s Publicity Secretary, Professor Tukur Baba, and culminated in releasing a communiqué.
In closing, Osuman issued a rallying call for resilience, lawful conduct, and regional unity, describing the present moment as defining for Northern Nigeria.
“This is the time and space for us all to embrace brotherhood, truth, and righteousness. We should always remain law-abiding,” he said.
He also led members in a prayer for the departed, saying: “May Allah forgive their transgressions. And may their souls and the souls of all the faithful departed rest in perfect peace. Amen.”
The NEC meeting drew prominent northern leaders into closed-door deliberations to discuss regional security, political cohesion, and the Forum’s future direction.
