ACF Debunks Claims of Opposing Tinubu’s Sole Candidacy

The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) in Kano has vociferously denied recent media reports that it opposed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s potential run as the sole candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 presidential election. In a move to correct the public record and reaffirm the forum’s non-partisan identity, the Kano chapter of the group publicly disavowed a statement made by its own National Publicity Secretary, Professor Muhd Tukur Baba, to the BBC. The incident not only highlights the delicate tightrope the ACF walks in Nigerian politics but also underscores a growing internal tension as the influential socio-cultural group navigates its role as a political watchdog for the North.

Addressing journalists on Wednesday, Gwani Farouk Umar, the state chairman of the forum, emphasized that the comments attributed to Professor Baba were his personal opinions and not the official position of the ACF. “What the spokesman said was not with our consent, and we are not happy about it. We are not politicians and we do not take sides with candidates,” Umar stated firmly. This public rebuke underscores the ACF’s commitment to its founding principles of promoting the interests of northern Nigeria without aligning itself with any specific political party or individual. The forum, which was established on March 7, 2000, at the initiative of the Sultan of Sokoto, has a singular mission: to foster, promote, and defend the unity and interests of the North within the context of a single, indivisible Nigeria. This is a testament to the organization’s deliberate strategy to operate as a socio-political watchdog and not a political machine.

According to Umar, this is not the first time such an incident has occurred. He recalled a similar situation in the past where a representative of the forum made a political statement that was later disowned by the national body. This pattern of public disavowal highlights the inherent challenges faced by a group with a diverse membership that holds strong, often differing, political ideologies. To prevent future recurrences, Umar urged the national leadership of the ACF to caution Professor Baba and to rigorously scrutinize all political declarations before they are made public. The incident also offers a glimpse into the internal dynamics of the ACF. While its chairman, Chief Mamman Mike Osuman, has consistently reaffirmed the forum’s non-partisan loyalty to the “salvation of the North,” some members may be tempted to express personal allegiances, creating friction between the group’s official stance and the opinions of its members. The ACF has recently made a strategic shift to engage with younger audiences through social media, a move that could potentially lead to more such incidents as new generations of members interpret the forum’s mission in different ways.

Beyond the political clarification, the Kano ACF chairman also used the opportunity to address key governance issues, further demonstrating the forum’s broader focus. Umar noted that prior to the 2023 general elections, the ACF had met with representatives of various political parties to secure their commitments to the forum’s demands. These demands were not about a specific candidate but were centered on fundamental issues of concern to the North. The ACF had urged all presidential candidates to commit to addressing the debilitating insecurity, particularly the banditry and kidnapping that have crippled the region, and to tackle the pervasive poverty and illiteracy. The forum also lobbied for the completion of key infrastructural projects, such as the Baro Inland Port and the Mambilla Power Project, and called for a more equitable distribution of national resources. This long-standing engagement with all political groups showcases the ACF’s strategy of influencing policy through dialogue rather than direct partisanship, a role it seeks to maintain even amidst the political jostling ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

In a gesture of commendation for a positive policy initiative, Umar praised Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, for presenting a bill to the state assembly that would grant full autonomy to local governments. He provided more detail on the proposed law, explaining that it seeks to grant both financial and administrative independence to the state’s 44 local government councils. If passed, the bill would allow councils to manage their funds directly, execute projects without unnecessary delays, and make decisions that truly reflect the unique needs of their communities. Umar described the move as a crucial step towards accelerating grassroots development and deepening democracy in the state. He urged lawmakers to pass the bill without delay and appealed to anti-corruption agencies to prevent the misuse of public funds, a clear indication of the ACF’s commitment to transparency and accountability in governance. This public praise for a policy that aligns with the ACF’s core values underscores their readiness to commend positive actions by politicians regardless of their party affiliation, solidifying their image as an impartial advocate for the North.

The Arewa Forum Blasts Tinubu Over 2027 Elections Obsession video provides a broader context of the ACF’s recent criticisms of the Tinubu administration, which helps to understand the current disavowal of the spokesman’s comments.