North-Central pulls out of ACF, forms own forum
Some leaders from the North-Central have announced the exit of the
region from the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) and formed a new group,
the North-Central Peoples Forum.
The leaders among other things, cited the terrible state of insecurity
in the northern region as the reason for their decision.
The group made this known to newsmen in Abuja on Wednesday, lamenting
that the North-Central under ACF kept suffering from vices of
kidnapping, banditry and other criminalities despite the abundant
mineral and human resources in the zone.
The new group is led by its interim chairman, a former Minister of
State for Health, Gabriel Aduku.
Other prominent leaders from North-Central that formed the group
include a former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Jerry
Useni; a former Deputy Senate President, Ibrahim Mantu; a former
Military Administrator of Kwara State, Col. David Bamigboye (retd.);
and a former deputy chief of staff to the President, Chief Olusola
Akomode.
Also in the list of its members are the Publisher of Leadership
Newspaper, Sam Nda-Isaiah; a former Nigeria Ambassador to South
Africa, Ahmed Ibeto; a media consultant, Alhaji Tajudeen Kareem; a
former Deputy Governor of Benue State, Chief Stephen Lawani and Alhaji
Alfa Mohammed and several others.
Speaking to newsmen, Useni said the new group would ensure the people
of Benue, Kogi, Kwara, Nasarawa, Niger, Plateau and the Federal
Capital Territory were united in their pursuit of peace and stability
within the zone.
Among other things, Useni said the forum “is also aimed at ensuring
cooperation and support for the good policies and administration of
the six governors of the zone, irrespective of our political,
religious and ethnic differences.”
He added, “We will support and cooperate fully with the Federal
Government for full and complete implementation of infrastructures,
development projects situated in the zone and the involvement of the
people of the zone in the national affairs of the country.
“We will promote, defend and strengthen North Central unity and the
interest of its people in the context of one indivisible Nigeria and
to contribute to the safeguarding of her territorial integrity.
“Consequently, every zone now has a common socio-political platform
where they meet to discuss their strength and weakness with the view
to propounding and promoting progress and development of the zone.”
Meanwhile, the leader of the ACF currently, is Chief Audu Ogbeh, a
former Agriculture Minister, who himself is from the North-Central.