The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has strongly criticized the All Progressives Congress (APC) and President Bola Tinubu’s administration for prioritizing early political maneuvering and defections ahead of the 2027 elections instead of addressing Nigeria’s deepening security and economic crises, particularly in the North. In a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Professor Muhammad-Baba, the ACF expressed concern over the government’s ineffective responses to insecurity, rising public discontent, and rampant profligacy by officials. A key example cited was the controversial N260 million per unit streetlight provision in the 2025 federal budget — a move the ACF described as “crassly reckless” and reflective of elite insensitivity to the daily struggles of ordinary Nigerians.
The forum lamented that public officials remain disconnected from the harsh realities faced by citizens, with no denial or accountability for such extravagant budget allocations. It noted that this trend is often replicated at the state level, worsening the plight of the population. Describing the government’s security rhetoric as marked by “delusional hubris”, the ACF said officials often ignore the growing public despair and hopelessness, especially in northern communities ravaged by violence and poverty.
Despite the bleak conditions, the forum commended Nigerians’ resilience, especially as they observed Eid-el-Kabir under economic hardship. The ACF emphasized that meaningful change is only possible through the entrenchment of good governance, calling on leaders at all levels to embrace sacrifice, accountability, and public service aligned with the values commemorated during Eid.
