The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has called on the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and President Bola Tinubu’s administration to shift their attention from early political campaigns and focus on solving the worsening security and economic challenges facing Nigerians.
This was contained in a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Professor Tukur Muhammad-Baba.
The ACF said it was disappointed that the APC appeared more interested in preparing for the 2027 elections than addressing the immediate needs of citizens, especially in the North where insecurity is rising.
“The ruling party seems more obsessed with early campaigns, defections, and political moves for re-election than with tackling the real problems facing the country,” the ACF said.
The forum expressed deep concern over the growing insecurity, particularly in northern states, noting that government policies and actions have so far failed to bring meaningful solutions.
It also condemned what it described as reckless public spending at a time many Nigerians are struggling to survive.
“A most perverse illustration of reckless profligacy of public expenditure has been the revelation about insertions in the 2025 federal budget for the provision of streetlights at a staggering and unimaginable cost of over N260 million each,” the group said.
“That there has to date been no official denial of such crassly reckless and surreal insertions attests to the insensitivity of public officials and political representatives to the plight of ordinary Nigerians.”
The ACF warned that continued neglect of citizens’ needs could lead to mass discontent and despair.
It criticized security officials for making head-in-the-sand statements, ignoring the reality that many state governors and communities are under serious threats.
“Delusional hubris and head-in-the-sand claims continue to characterise pronouncements by officials charged with responsibilities for security,” it stated.
Despite the hardships, the ACF praised Nigerians for their resilience and ability to celebrate important occasions like the Eid-el-Kabir.
It used the opportunity to send warm greetings to the Muslim community, urging Nigerians to hold on to values like sacrifice, unity, and devotion.