The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has voiced deep disappointment with the current priorities of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) government under President Bola Tinubu.
The forum criticized the administration’s preoccupation with early political campaigns, orchestrated defections, and strategic maneuvers aimed at securing re-election in 2027, rather than focusing on pressing national issues.
According to the ACF, the administration’s apparent obsession with political positioning has overshadowed urgent efforts to address the country’s escalating security challenges and other existential problems confronting Nigerians.
In a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Professor Muhammad-Baba, the ACF lamented the government’s ineffective responses to the worsening insecurity, particularly in northern Nigeria.
The forum highlighted that public policies have failed to stem the tide of violence and instability, even as citizens bear the brunt of these crises.
Meanwhile, public officials continue to exhibit profligate spending, which starkly contrasts with the sacrifices and deteriorating living conditions experienced by ordinary Nigerians.
The ACF pointed to an egregious example of fiscal irresponsibility recently revealed in the 2025 federal budget: the allocation of over N260 million for the provision of streetlights per unit—a figure described as staggering and unimaginable.
This shocking budget insertion has not been officially denied, underscoring what the forum sees as a profound insensitivity among political representatives and public officials toward the hardships faced by the populace.
The forum further warned that such reckless budgetary practices are likely to be mirrored at the state level, exacerbating public distrust and frustration.
Reflecting on the broader context, the ACF observed that the myriad challenges confronting the nation, including insecurity and economic hardship, are symptoms of a deeper malaise within the country’s political economy. The forum called for urgent and substantive public policy interventions to address these fundamental issues.
It criticized the prevailing “delusional hubris” and “head-in-the-sand” attitudes among officials responsible for security, contrasting their complacency with the genuine and desperate cries for help coming from state governors and affected communities.
The ACF cautioned that such disregard for the public’s suffering risks fueling widespread disillusionment, despair, and social unrest.
Despite these grim realities, the ACF acknowledged and commended the remarkable resilience of Nigerians. It noted that the ability of citizens to endure ongoing hardships and still find reasons to celebrate occasions such as Eid is a testament to their strength and spirit—qualities that should not be taken for granted.
On the occasion of Eid-el-Kabir, the forum extended felicitations to Muslim communities across Nigeria. It described the celebration as a solemn reminder of the core human values of sacrifice, fellowship, and devotion—values that encourage gratitude for Almighty God’s benevolence.
The ACF recognized that this year’s festivities come amid significant economic and existential challenges, including soaring living costs, inflationary pressures, and the rapid erosion of wages and salaries.
The Arewa Consultative Forum expressed optimism that the national challenges facing Nigeria can be surmounted. It emphasized that this will require the entrenchment of good governance principles across all levels of government—local, state, and federal—and a sincere commitment from public officials to serve the interests of the people.
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