The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has urged the Federal Government to shift its primary attention away from excessive electioneering for the 2027 polls and instead tackle the escalating security crisis plaguing the nation.
The forum said the continued attacks, killings, abductions and destruction of livelihoods by armed groups posed an existential threat to Nigeria, accusing political office holders of paying greater attention to electioneering than the security and welfare of citizens.
In a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Prof. T. A. Muhammad-Baba, the ACF said the government’s apparent inaction had allowed armed non-state actors to operate freely and wreak havoc on communities.
“Without equivocation ACF insists that now is the time to stop the politics and end the killings,” the forum said.
The group expressed concern over the continued abduction of citizens, saying scores of children were still being held by terrorists in Borno, Kwara and other states, while many other victims remained in captivity under what it described as horrendous conditions.
It also cited recent attacks in Zamfara State, where it said five separate incidents were recorded in one day, resulting in deaths, abductions and looting of property.
According to the ACF, attacks and killings have also continued in Plateau and Taraba states, while similar incidents have been reported in Benue, Niger, Katsina and Kogi states.
The forum expressed particular concern over increasing cases of abductions, killings and ransom demands in Chikun Local Government Area and other communities in and around Kaduna metropolis.
It also raised alarm over the reported abduction of prospective National Youth Service Corps members travelling to report at their orientation camp in Imo State, saying they were still being held as of the time of issuing the statement.
The ACF said the incidents were only a fraction of the security challenges confronting communities across the country.
It questioned how much more violence, bloodshed and abductions citizens must endure before those responsible for their protection take decisive action.
The forum also criticised what it described as the growing preoccupation of elected officials and other politically exposed persons with the 2027 elections.
According to the ACF, governance and protection of citizens must take precedence over political campaigns and re-election concerns.
It also faulted President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Independence Anniversary address, saying the speech made only a fleeting reference to insecurity despite the scale of the crisis confronting the country.
The forum urged the government to urgently redirect its attention towards tackling insecurity, warning that every new incident of violence should be treated as one too many.
“As time is fast running out, electioneering campaigns must give way to action over insecurity,” the ACF said.
The forum reiterated its call for urgent action to protect communities and restore security, stressing that political considerations should not be allowed to overshadow the government’s primary responsibility of protecting lives and property.
What You Should Know
The Arewa Consultative Forum has raised serious concerns that political leaders are paying more attention to future elections than to safeguarding the lives and properties of ordinary citizens amidst widespread attacks, abductions, and banditry.
- Positive Impact: Pushing security to the forefront could pressure the administration into deploying more resources, reinforcement, and decisive strategies to protect vulnerable communities.
- Potential Concerns: Continued governmental distraction with political maneuvering leaves citizens exposed to mounting threats from armed groups, aggravating economic hardship and psychological trauma across affected regions.
