Day With Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF): An Overview By M K ILYASU

Day With Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF): An Overview

As we approached the tipping point in our national history, the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has on Wednesday the 4th of September, 2024 at 10:00am convoked the gathering of prominent Northerners at the ACF HQ’s, on 11A Sokoto Road, Kaduna for a combined BOT and NEC meetings to address pertinent issues affecting Northern Nigeria in particular and Nigeria as a whole.

The meeting identified dwindling impact of the Association in the North, proliferation of similar groups, declining participation, absence of support from Northern States govt, its inability to maintain robust structures nationwide as well as its inability to exert pressure to review its constitution as well as the Federal Const deemed also for review, and its inability or declining capacity to raise funds for the organization. These were some of the points raised during the meeting.

Why is the ACF waning amongst its members?

It is a long held belief that the time for self examination, collective preparation and honest disclosures in tandem with democratic ideals to address everything about the most distinctive element concerning Northern unity and legitimate interest of the North is now. We had to remind ourselves of the profound truth in moments of meaningful deliberations concerning our lives and reflecting our foundational beliefs.

Agenda issues ranging from Insecurity concerning serious issues like kidnappings, insurgencies, drug abuse and terrorism to food insecurities, corruption and bad governance, education, agriculture, unemployment/poverty, al-majiranchi and street begging, etc were identified as the existential threats and tabled for discussion.

EDUCATION

Even though basic education is legally free and compulsory in Nigeria, about 10.5 million children aged 5 to 14 years are out of school. About 50 percent of these children live in the northern region, known to be severely affected by the Boko Haram insurgency.

ACF should lend its weight and wisdom to impress on the Northern Governors to set up FREE boarding elementary and secondary school in each local govt to enable the less privileged parents enroll their children. This approach will mop up street children and mitigate the out of school children phenomenon.
Below is the statistics issued by UNICEF in 2023

TRADITIONAL INSTITUTIONS

The role of traditional institutions was considered for early warnings in conflict management and resolution. Discussants also considered the possible position of ACF to the review of the 1999 Federal Constitution (As Amended) and what the review might portend.

We are witnesses to our eroding democracy that make it easier for our political leaders to keep secrets, to rewrite reality, to undermine political rivals, to act with impunity ,and, ultimately, to consolidate unchecked power in ways that left the nation and its people worse off. It is a story that is being repeated in this country crushing all our rights under the constitution

Questions you might want to address:

To what degree does the North addresses its legitimate interest concomitantly with Nigerian identity and contribute to national meaning for all Nigerians?

The Chairman provided the premise for discussion by asking a rhetorical question “WHAT ARE THE LEGITIMATE INTERESTS OF THE NORTH”?

SYNOPSIS OF THE DISCUSSION

UNITY.

This is very crucial and mother of all concerns. It is no hidden secret that the North is no longer what it used to be unity wise. Since the creation of states, the North is no longer monolithic. The motto which says, “One North, One People, One Destiny” can no longer hold the cultural and religious diversified Northern Nigeria. Here again I ask whether the slogan promotes the concept of being a region that dwells alone or in unity with the rest of Nigeria.

It is worth exploring different perspectives about what connects us as a people and discuss variables that might cause different ideological groups to conclude that they either want to live with one another or that they want to cut ties. Issues like calling a non Moslem “Arne” or leveling someone who doesn’t belong to your religious sect “Infidel” must be discouraged and stopped immediately. We were so busy trying to avoid sin that we failed to make friends with non Moslems or non Christians, our women and our children. We never share ideas with them, never care how they felt thus allowing organised religion (as in many Faith based groups) that has been very unfair to the almighty God to take over our sensibilities.

What factors might be considered when making that decision? What is at stake?

ACF will provide the blue print.

INSECURITY.

The question often asked is how much human waste we can suffer while remaining a viable society. Can the defense and security of our people be deferred until our political houses are in order or must it be regarded as a simple trade-off for more desirable welfare programs?

There is growing evidence that, notwithstanding the rhetorics employed by the Federal govt, a number of Northern states have concluded that the Federal government cannot handle security challenges the country is currently facing. The States might therefore be driven into providing arms and ammo to its citizens to defend themselves if they are convinced that the Federal Government is unable to protect people’s lives and properties.

ACF in collaboration with stakeholders will study this issue clearly and incorporate its recommendation during the 1999 Federal constitutional review conference.

We must not lose sight in the fact that kidnappings, insurgency and terrorism may have an extremely useful agenda setting function.
Recall #ENDBADGOVERNANCE protest.

ACF must appeal to the government to initiate, under former Head of State or a very distinguished Academic a retreat with series of lectures incorporating the National Assembly members to examine the various dimensions of the current security challenges which in my view would constitute an important contribution to the ongoing debate over the future of our National Security Policy.

FUNDING

ACF should organize a fund raising events that will culminate to a dinner with all participants being urged to donate during the event.
All registered members should be levied and be urged to donate during meetings.

DECLINING PARTICIPATION.

ACF should initiate a national campaign to woo members. The campaign should be an all inclusive affair, from students in tertiary institutions to professionals, entrepreneurs etc, etc.

RESTRUCTURING.

Northern minorities must be saddled with greater responsibilities in the group to further encourage our mutual trust and commitment to our noble cause. Consensus building is the KEY.

ALTERNATE CONFERENCE VENUE.

ACF should consider other Northern cities for its meetings because that will encourage those states to support the group cause and remain very proactive in her activities. It makes all the participants to be open with a genuine desire to learn of the fears and aspirations of one another.

Northern Nigeria is the central element of our national identity. We will continue to contemplate on how we feel differently about it and build relationships with one another. Northerners present competing visions and concerns about popular representation and ACF must be able relate to those positions.

Friends of the North should be considered and encouraged to participate without having any Voting Rights.

CONCLUSION

We are always busy talking of THE NORTH, our cultural heritage, yet the North is being sacrificed with lots of tears being shed. Who do we hold responsible? Is it a collective mistake or a deliberate act of those dedicated at misleading and destroying the North.

No generation ever knows what history will ask of it. All we can ever know is whether we’ll be ready when that moment arrives.

M K Ilyasu a retired foreign affairs officer, author and public affairs analyst writes from Kaduna Nigeria 
5th September 2024

See Below 👇

“`COMMUNIQUE ISSUED AT THE END OF THE MEETING OF BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE AREWA CONSULTATIVE FORUM, AT ACF HEADQUARTERS, KADUNA“`

SEPTEMBER 4, 2024

1● A special meeting of elders and top level leaders from all parts of Northern Nigeria, held today, Wednesday, 4th of September, 2024 at the Headquarters of the Arewa Consultative Forum, ACF.

It was presided over by Alhaji Bashir Mohammed Dalhatu, Wazirin Dutse and Chairman, the Board of Trustees of the Arewa Consultative Forum.

In attendance were many former state governors of the northern states, ministers, service chiefs, members of the National Assembly, retired senior public officers, academics, professionals and multitudes of patriotic citizens.

2● The meeting was called in response to and against the background of the ever increasing crisis of insecurity, sky rocketing cost of living, destitution, unemployment and other calamities plaguing Nigeria in general and Northern Nigeria in particular.

3● After long and extensive deliberations on these issues and others listed on its agenda, the meeting resolved that the following communique be issued:

[¡] Strengthen the ACF;
Members resolved to remain united and continue to speak with one voice on all key issues of concern to Northern Nigeria.

In this wise, members pledged to revitalise and strengthen the Arewa Consultative Forum, ACF, so that it remains a strong and effective organisation that advocates and defends Northern interests; in all their ramifications.

The meeting resolved that Northerners should do more to build trust and affection between and amongst themselves.

Accordingly, Northerners belonging to different tribes or religious groups are enjoined to completely refrain from calling each other derogatory or offensive names, such as _’arne ‘,_ _’mushirkin’,_ etc.

[¡¡] Security of Lives & Property
Members agreed that at the moment, there is nothing troubling Northern Nigeria more than the lack of security of lives and property.

The North is today ravaged by elevated forms of banditry, Boko Haram and other insurgencies.

The menace of drug trafficking and abuse is steadily rising. Not surprisingly, food production is becoming increasingly difficult as farmlands are abandoned and the farmers are getting either killed or fleeing to the IDP camps.

There does not appear to be an end on sight to these crisis as the mitigation measures taken by the authorities have so far failed to yield the desired results.

[¡¡¡] Under the circumstances, the meeting resolved to make the following recommendations:
《a》Whatever it takes, the security crisis in Northern Nigeria must end; and end quickly. Our survival depends on it!
《b》The current approaches to fighting the insurgents and bandits are not yielding the desired results. Other measures, even unconventional ones, need to be considered and tried.
《c Nigeria is indeed facing a moral crisis for failing to protect its citizens who cannot bear arms but are left at the mercy of well armed, cruel and blood thirsty renegades and barbarians that continue to have free access to deadly arms. This is a matter that requires very urgent thoughts and review.
《d》Community driven models of defence, such as the Civilian JTF, are already in operation in several parts of the country, including in the Boko-Haram-ravaged Northeast of Nigeria.

Similar or modified models of security management should be authorised in other parts of the country.

4● Cost of Living Crisis
Unprecedented Cost of living crisis is driven by severe food shortages and especially
the continuously rising prices of electricity and fuel energy.

In turn, these problems have compounded the challenges of insecurity and violent crimes.

Government must do all within its powers to mitigate the impact of these insecurities.

4● Corruption & Bad Governance
The meeting identified corruption at all levels to be the key driver of bad governance in Nigeria.

It also agreed that bad governance is the root cause of most of the social and economic crisis plaguing the country; including distortion of moral values; nepotism, injustice, misplacement of priorities, etc.

It therefore called on the authorities to wage an all-out war against corruption without further delay.

5● Constitution Review & Restructuring
After reviewing current agitations and calls for a review of Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution as well as the restructuring of the administrative structure of Nigeria, the meeting resolved to dispel any impression that the North was shy, afraid of or averse to any such proposals. It is false and misguided.

The meeting further resolved to put all and sundry on notice that Northern Nigeria is willing to consider ALL proposals on constitutional review that may be put on the table; now or in the future.

If and when the occasion arises, the North will surely use whatever is available to it in pursuit of its legitimate interests.

Professor TUKUR Muhammad Baba,
Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF),
National Headquarters,
Kaduna