…Says North Not Afraid Of Restructuring
In a passionate appeal to Northern leaders, Alhaji Bashir Mohammed Dalhatu, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), urged collective action to address the escalating crisis plaguing the region.
Addressing a meeting of the Board of Trustees and other northern leaders in Kaduna on Wednesday, Dalhatu argued that it was imperative for leaders of the region to come together and confront the challenges threatening the north.
“We are here today because our region is facing unprecedented challenges. Insecurity, poverty, environmental degradation, corruption, and the undermining of traditional institutions are threatening our very existence,” Dalhatu said.
He emphasised that the meeting was not about politics or partisanship, but about finding solutions to the region’s problems, adding that “we must put aside our differences and work together to save the North. We owe it to ourselves, our children, and future generations.”
On the issue of constitution review and restructuring, Dalhatu stated, “We are not afraid of change. We are ready to consider proposals that promote our legitimate interests. But we will not be dictated to. We will not be marginalised
He continued: “Going by the pronouncements and actions of some officials of the federal government especially in view of recent pressures coming from some self-serving groups, the presidency may not be averse to making a similar attempt at an unnecessary constitution review before the end of their tenure.
“Whether or not the federal government sponsors one or more exercises at constitutional review, it is necessary to dispel the impression that the North is shy, or is averse to or afraid of any review of the Nigerian Constitution.
Nothing can be further from the truth.
“We must put all and sundry on notice that the North is ready, now and in the future, and will be willing to consider any proposals for changing the constitution as well as the administrative structure of Nigeria that may be put on the table. If and when the occasion arises, the North will surely use whatever is available to it in pursuit of its legitimate interests.”
Emphasising the need for unity and collective action, the BoT chairman noted that “We are stronger together. Let us work together to build a brighter future for the North.”
Dalhatu identified the need to revitalise and re-strategize the ACF as a key priority. “We must make the ACF relevant again. We must make it a powerful voice for the North.”
On corruption, Dalhatu declared corruption as the most significant threat to Nigeria’s peace, security, and development.
He emphasised that corruption was a pervasive menace that affected all levels of society, both within and outside government offices, leading to bad governance and a multitude of evils.
“The most serious impediment to the realisation of our dreams is corruption. It distorts moral values, leads to treasury looting, injustice, and misplacement of priorities,” he said.
He called for an all-out war against corruption, stressing that Nigeria urgently needed to address the challenge to achieve its full potential.
Speaking further, the Chairman noted that the organisation was grappling with a multitude of challenges that threaten its existence, saying that the ACF has failed for not protecting the region’s interest.
He expressed concern over the proliferation of groups duplicating the ACF’s functions and mandate which has further eroded its influence.
“Growing religious, ethnic, and political divisions among Northerners have also diminished the ACF’s impact,” he added.
Some of the Northern leaders in attendance were former governor of Kano and and protem chairman League of Northern Democrats, Senator Ibrahim Shekarau, former governor of Nasarawa state, Senator Tanko Almakura, former National Chairman of APC, Abdullahi Adamu, Director Military Intelligence, General Halilu Akilu(retd), former Minister of Internal Affairs, General Muhammad Maigoro(retd), former governor of Kano State, Senator Kabiru Gaiya, former Secretary to Government of the Federation, Alhaji Yayale Ahmed former, former National Chairman of PDP and Governor of Bauchi State, Adamu Muazu, former governor of Jigawa state, Alhaji Sule Lamido, former Governor of Kaduna State, Ramalan Yero, former Secretary Government of Federation, Babacir Lawal.
Others were the immediate-past Secretary Generation of Federal, Boss Mustapha, former Minister of State Defence, Alhaji Lawal Batagarawa, Former Inspector General of Police, MD Abubakar, former Inspector General of Police, Aliyu Attah, former governor of Jigawa state, Sa’ad Birnin Kudu amongst others.
We Must Act Now To Save North – ACF BoT’s Chair Dalhatu is first published on The Whistler Newspaper