The Arewa Consultative Forum, ACF, has called on President Bola Tinubu to review his economic reforms to reflect greater sensitivity to the plight of Nigerians, especially those in the northern region.
According to a communiqué after its National Executive Council, NEC, meeting held in Kaduna on Wednesday, the ACF expressed displeasure at the economic policies of the present administration, saying that they had worsened the hardship an average Nigerian is facing.
While outlining the unique vulnerabilities of the northern region, the Forum noted that its people were affected by food insecurity, limited access to education and skills training, and reliance on microeconomic activities for survival.
It emphasized that while economic reforms were necessary, they should not worsen poverty or hardship among the citizens they are intended to benefit, adding that the livelihoods of many depend on micro-activities.
“The region faces acute and chronic food insecurity; its youths lack education and skills training. Daunting as these may be, they can be reversed. The time to think big is now.
“Notwithstanding the parlous state of Arewa’s glaring economic challenges, the policies of the current federal government have continued to worsen matters, with little indication of the needed sensitivity to the precarious existential conditions of Arewa people.
“Succinctly stated, economic reforms, while indeed desirable, should not impoverish the same people they are meant to serve. The people may not be alive to reap the putative benefits,” the communique said.
Media Talk Africa reports that the group had earlier declared that it would back a Northern candidate for the 2027 presidential election.
