Former Senator Shehu Sani has strongly criticized the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) for its recent statements about Nigeria’s insecurity, economic hardship, and poor education system under President Bola Tinubu.
The ACF, a prominent northern interest group, had called on President Tinubu to urgently address these challenges, which they claim are affecting the north more severely.
After a meeting in Kaduna, the ACF issued a communiqué on Wednesday, urging Tinubu to take immediate steps to tackle the increasing violence from bandits, terrorists, and kidnappers. The forum also highlighted the growing economic difficulties and the rising number of out-of-school children in the northern region.
However, Shehu Sani, a former senator for Kaduna State, questioned why the ACF only raised these concerns now, under Tinubu’s administration, but remained silent during the eight years that former President Muhammadu Buhari, a northerner, was in power.
Sani took to social media to express his disappointment with the ACF’s selective criticism. He stated, “ACF has spoken the truth about hardship in present-day Nigeria, that is commendable; but they failed to speak the same truth when a northerner was in power.”
ACF Highlights Challenges in Northern Nigeria
In its statement, the ACF outlined the dire situation in the northern region. The forum expressed grave concern over the security threats, which have become daily occurrences in many northern states.
“The North is currently under siege from various threats, including bandits, terrorists, and kidnappers,” the ACF said. “These incidents have become all too common, and the people of Arewa cannot continue to live under such threats.”
Security has been a growing issue in Nigeria’s northern states, with frequent reports of attacks, abductions, and violence. The ACF’s call for action reflects the rising frustration and fear among the region’s population.
Furthermore, the forum’s statement criticized the current government’s economic policies, claiming that they have worsened the already precarious situation in the north. They stated that the policies have shown little sensitivity to the struggles faced by northern Nigerians.
“Despite the dire economic conditions in Arewa, the policies of the current Federal Government have continued to worsen the situation,” the ACF said. “There is little indication that the government understands the existential challenges of the Arewa people.”
The ACF’s Concerns Over Education
In addition to security and economic issues, the ACF also addressed the state of education in the north. The region has one of the highest rates of out-of-school children in the country, a crisis that the forum insists must be tackled immediately.
“Statistics of out-of-school children, of which Arewa has an overwhelming proportion, are cogent pointers to the situation,” said the ACF’s National Publicity Secretary, Prof. Tukur Muhammad-Baba. “A lot has been done, but the truth is, far more needs to be done.”
The forum urged the government to prioritize educational reforms, especially in northern Nigeria, where poverty and insecurity have limited access to education for many children.
Shehu Sani’s Criticism of ACF’s Stance
Sani’s criticisms stem from the fact that the ACF remained largely silent on similar issues during the administration of President Buhari, despite the fact that the challenges they are now highlighting were already present during his tenure.
“Why has the Arewa Forum waited until now to speak up?” Sani asked. “Is it because there is a new president in power, or are they genuinely concerned about the suffering of the northern people?”
Sani’s statement comes at a time when the northern region continues to face economic struggles, a weakened education system, and increasing insecurity. These challenges were not new under Tinubu’s administration but had been ongoing during Buhari’s presidency, which lasted for eight years.
ACF Calls for Immediate Action
In its meeting, the ACF also called for northern governors to take a stronger, more coordinated approach to addressing security, education, and economic development in their states.
“Economic reforms, while indeed desirable, should not impoverish the same people they are meant to serve,” the ACF’s communiqué read. “The people may not be alive to reap the benefits of these reforms.”
The ACF’s concerns about the welfare of northern Nigerians are not without merit, but the timing of their criticism is raising eyebrows, especially since these issues have been present for many years.
The forum urged Tinubu’s government to review its economic policies, emphasizing the need for policies that prioritize human welfare and the needs of the people.
