Hunger, Economic Struggles Must Be Addressed Before 2027 Elections – ACF
From Abdullahi Alhassan, Kaduna
The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), a prominent Northern sociocultural group, has cautioned politicians against premature campaigns for the 2027 elections, urging them to prioritize tackling Nigeria’s hunger and economic crises first.
ACF Chairman Mamman Mike Osuman, SAN, issued the warning during his opening remarks at the National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting, calling on leaders to address citizens’ pressing needs before shifting focus to elections.
“Individual utterances and media exposés about the 2027 elections are already dominating public discourse,” Osuman noted. “However, this momentum should take a backseat while governance takes center stage—governance that genuinely alleviates the suffering of our people, who endure brigandage, terrorism, kidnappings, mass killings, hunger, and disease daily.”
He emphasized that while political ambitions are legitimate, leaders must prioritize Nigerians’ safety and well-being above all else. “Regardless of our political affiliations, ACF must stand as a beacon of hope by courageously speaking truth to power, as exemplified by figures like Martin Luther King Jr., Indira Gandhi, and Nelson Mandela,” he added.
The ACF also condemned recent violence in the North, including the resurgence of deadly attacks in Bokkos, Plateau State; the gruesome killings of Northerners in Uromi, Edo State; and Boko Haram’s renewed activities in Borno State.
“These monstrous acts by bloodthirsty criminals are deeply alarming,” Osuman said. He questioned federal assurances of stability in the Northeast, citing governors’ public outcries over citizen safety and the devastating floods in Maiduguri.
