After 25 Years, ACF Anniversary Rekindles Old Questions on Northern Leadership and Progress
By Abdulhameed Musa Abdullahi
The 25th anniversary of the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), held at the historic Arewa House in Kaduna, turned into yet another jamboree—full of Abadas, exclusive ceremonies, and empty rituals. Despite the presence of high-ranking dignitaries, security experts, business leaders, and politicians, the most pressing burden of the North—insecurity—was treated without the seriousness it demands.
Discussions were held, yes, but no concrete solution, no official proposal, no strategic document was drafted for submission to the President. At a time when the region is drowning in violence, this omission is deeply disappointing.
The roots of our security crisis did not emerge overnight. Northern leadership has been in slumber for decades, failing to confront the early signs—from Boko Haram’s distorted ideology to the expansion of banditry across our vast lands. Boko Haram was once dismissed, even ignored, until it metastasized and produced splinter groups that fuel today’s chaos. Banditry, kidnapping, and terrorism now form a deadly web encircling the region.
One would expect the elders and stakeholders in ACF to rise to the challenge—to craft a unified blueprint for tackling this cancerous menace. Instead, we witness blame games between political actors, security agencies, traditional rulers— from councillors,to the President. Meanwhile, ACF continues to hold colourful ceremonies that do little to restore hope to the ordinary northerner.
Endowments and donations may ring loudly in their ears, but they do not solve insecurity.
The Sahel is bleeding. Terrorists and armed groups, emboldened by our porous borders, now consider Nigeria a safe base. This demands a strong national response—not excuses, not ceremonial gatherings.
Even the internal dynamics of violence have become complex. Some Fulani herdsmen—whose ancestors lived peacefully for centuries—have been hijacked by criminal elements and indoctrinated into a cycle of vengeance and kidnapping. These criminals operate openly in enclaves across the North-West, protected by political interests and benefitting from weak individuals.
This madness must be confronted head-on.
The time has come to implement state policing, with strong safeguards to prevent governors from abusing such forces. Many analysts fear the implications of state police, but the level of insecurity we face demands bold and practical solutions.
This is the kind of conversation we expected from the ACF: honest, bold, visionary, and solution-driven. Sadly, the discussion at the anniversary did not match the depth or urgency of the crisis.
Meanwhile, the South-West provides a clear contrast. Their governors are united, proactive, and already setting a date to further strengthen regional security. They do not waste time trading blame—they take action. That is leadership.
The average northerner remains confused: How can leaders discuss security with no viable strategy? How do abductions still occur inside school premises while security councils meet every month or quarterly ? How long will flimsy excuses replace responsibility?
This is the right moment for the ACF to draft and present a comprehensive proposal to the President—one that addresses poverty, unemployment, border control, community policing, and coordinated military action. Poverty and unemployment are the engines of insecurity; without addressing them, violence will persist.
Insecurity must become the top priority on the President’s table, and the North must speak with one voice.
May Northern Nigeria live. May Nigeria live.
Abdulhameed Musa Abdullahi is Public activist and a Political Advocate, He wrote from Kaduna State
