The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), the pre-eminent socio-political organisation representing Northern Nigeria, has declared that the region will only endorse presidential candidates in the 2027 general elections who demonstrate tangible commitment to advancing Northern interests.
Alhaji Bashir Dalhatu, Chairman of the ACF’s Board of Trustees, articulated this position during Wednesday’s plenary session in Kaduna. The high-level meeting was specifically convened to deliberate on pressing socio-economic and political challenges confronting both the region and the federation.
The former Minister of Power and Steel stressed that Northern electoral support would be contingent upon policy commitments rather than partisan affiliations, stressing that allegiance would be accorded solely to those who prioritise the region’s developmental agenda.
“Northern Nigeria will remain faithful not to particular politicians or political parties but to those who care about our regional interests and are willing to promote and protect them,” he stated.
He underscored the region’s demographic dominance and political leverage, urging unified action among stakeholders to surmount prevailing challenges and consolidate their position as an electoral powerhouse.
“Northern Nigeria is today bedevilled by numerous existential problems. But what is not in doubt is the fact that the North has in abundance what it takes to compete and prevail in any fair competition within Nigeria—and even the wider African continent.
“The North has 19 out of the 36 states, and we also have the FCT as a veritable component. We have a majority in the Senate, the House of Representatives, the National Economic Council, and the Council of State. The North occupies close to 75 per cent of Nigeria’s land area and about 60 per cent of the population.
“An area this big and this strong can never be subdued by any opponent, provided we remain united and place our region above all other considerations. United we stand, divided we fall,” he said.
The ACF further voiced its discontent with emerging political realignments preceding the 2027 polls, cautioning that such manoeuvres undermine effective governance.
“The view has been expressed—and it bears repeating—that the current preoccupation with the 2027 national elections is premature and a disservice to the principle of the four-year term limit given to elected officials,” Dalhatu said.
He revealed that the North is monitoring the performance of public officials, particularly those at the federal level, and is considering the establishment of a committee to thoroughly assess government programmes and policies.
“We have received a number of proposals from some of our elders that this body appoints a special committee to conduct a detailed study and review of the policies, projects and programmes embarked upon by the current government and determine how they have impacted the various parts of the country—particularly Northern Nigeria.
“This is perhaps the best way to determine whether or not our interests are being sufficiently accommodated. For the avoidance of doubt, we must reiterate our belief in the principle that all politics is local. In other words, Northern Nigeria will remain faithful not to particular politicians or political parties but to those who care about our regional interests and are willing to promote and protect them,” he said.
The ACF’s position appears to align with recent remarks by Dr Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, who resigned from his role as political adviser to the vice president. Baba-Ahmed, a former spokesman for the Northern Elders Forum (NEF), had asserted that the North would no longer vote blindly or repeat past mistakes.
“In the next six months, the North will decide where it stands. If the rest of the country wants to join us, fine. If not, we will go our own way. One thing is clear: nobody can become president of Nigeria without northern support,” he had said.
The gathering brought together several prominent Northern figures, including four former state governors: Ibrahim Shekarau (Kano), Ramalan Yero (Kaduna), Simon Lalong (Plateau), and Ahmed Makarfi (Kaduna).
Other notable attendees comprised former Information Minister Lai Mohammed, retired Brigadier General Sani Kukasheka Usman (former Army spokesperson), Babachir Lawal (ex-Secretary to the Government of the Federation), and Dr Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, who previously served as Political Adviser in the Office of the Vice President, alongside other distinguished personalities.
Discussion about this post