Efforts to unseat President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and return power to Northern Nigeria ahead of the 2027 general elections have sparked tension among prominent Northern groups.
Barely 24 hours after the National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), where its Chairman, Mamman Mike Osuman, reportedly declared support for Northern candidates in 2027, a new group, the League of Northern Democrats (LND), visited the ACF headquarters seeking alliances with key Northern organizations.
The LND, led by former Kano State Governor Senator Ibrahim Shekarau, met with ACF, Northern Elders Forum (NEF), and Middle Belt Forum (MBF) to foster a unified front for reclaiming power in the North.
Represented by former Minister of Transportation, Ibrahim Isa Bio Shekarau called for collective strategies to address the region’s challenges, including poverty, insecurity, and political disunity.
However, shortly after the LND’s visit, the ACF announced the suspension of its NEC Chairman, Mamman Mike Osuman, in a statement signed by its BoT Chairman, Alhaji Bashir Muhammad Dalhatu, and National Secretary, Alhaji Murtala Aliyu.
The internal discord underscores a growing divide within Northern political circles as the region seeks to consolidate its position ahead of the next election cycle.
The League of Northern Democrats’ visit to ACF came 48 hours after the Forum had faulted economic policies of President Bola Tinubu’s government.
According to Shekarau: “In our effort to rebuild a stronger Northern Nigeria, I am pleased to inform you that we have also held consultative meetings with the leaderships of the Northern Elders Forum and the Middle Belt Forum, and our discussions yielded fruits with agreements in principle to forge a coalition among our four organizations – i.e. ACF, LND, NEF and the Middle Belt Forum.
This coalition is not just for today but for the future-a future where Northern Nigeria regains its status as a beacon of progress, culture and leadership in Nigeria!.
“This unified front will complete the long-sought unity of the North. The consequence of such a coalition will be profound: political entities such as the PDP, APC, LP, NNPP, SDP, state governors, legislators and even the presidency will be humbled and compelled to support and align with our vision, thus reclaiming the dignity, stability and influence of Northern Nigeria for the benefit of all Nigerians.
“It is both an honor and a privilege to stand before you today on this momentous occasion. I wish to begin by expressing our heartfelt gratitude to the leadership of the Arewa Consultative Forum ACF for providing us with the opportunity to engage in this critical meeting. This marks the beginning of what we hope will be a transformative coalition for Northern Nigeria.
“The challenges facing our region – poverty, insecurity, illiteracy, religious intolerance, disunity and diminishing political influence – are indeed serious. The North is today in an ugly situation. Yet, we all know that the situation is reversible. It only requires commitment, collaboration and a shared vision from all of us. In truth, we owe ourselves and the generations behind us the solemn duty to do so. I am convinced that it is the spirit of this duty that has brought us all together today.
“We recognize and deeply appreciate the contributions of the ACF in preserving the values, culture and dignity of the North. Your steadfast dedication and resilience over the years have been a guiding light. In this spirit, the League of Northern Democrats brings fresh perspectives, innovative strategies and a renewed commitment to advancing the interests of our people.
“This coalition between the League of Northern Democrats and the Arewa Consultative Forum represents a historic opportunity to amplify the collective voice of the North, ensuring our region’s priorities take center stage in national discourse; pool our vast resources – experience, influence, knowledge and finances – to create impactful solutions to our shared challenges; and to strengthen the economic, political and social fabric of the North, fostering an environment of trust, collaboration and shared progress.
“This coalition is more than symbolic; it is a practical step towards building a cohesive North that can reclaim its rightful position as a zone of first influence in Nigeria’s politics and power dynamics. LND’s practical understanding of the power dynamics of Nigeria’s political landscape, its aim to reposition the North as a unified and decisive player and its focus on innovative strategies will complement the established high influence and networks of ACF, NEF and the Middle Belt Forum.
“This will automatically create and consolidate our regional unity and influence, and as I earlier said, force all political players to respect and align with the coalition’s vision. This should be our central focus.
“As we start the move to solidify our partnership, today’s meeting will do well by focusing on defining Shared Goals; establish immediate and long-term objectives to bring sustainable development to the North; Leveraging Strengths: i.e. Harness our combined experience, influence and expertise for maximum impact. Ensure coordination and complementarity in our efforts to avoid duplication; and Working as a Team: i.e. Collaborate effectively to overcome our region’s challenges.
“I urge us to approach this engagement with sincere and open minds, shared sense of purpose and unwavering commitment by all. Together, we have the power to rewrite the narrative of our region and secure a legacy of prosperity and unity for generations to come.
“Thank you once again for this opportunity to build a coalition that will transform the North and, by extension, Nigeria. May our deliberations today mark the beginning of a fruitful and enduring partnership”.
The Chairman Board of Trustees of the ACF, Bashir Dalhatu while welcoming the LND leadership, noted that the formation of the coalition was a welcome development.
He added that the coming together of the LND, ACF, NEF and the Middle Belt Forum, was an additional strength the pan-northern organization.
He said, “two heads they said is better than one and I have already noticed and succumbed to the fact that the League of Northern Democrat are full of high levels of intellectuals. So, we are on course with that kind of intellectuals and intelligence.
“We have been following the progress and movement as well as efforts of the LND since their establishment and we feel very proud that the north, actually no matter how many times you split it, the essence, vision is still the same.
“Therefore, we at the ACF are even stronger because we are welcoming another source of strength, vision and drive. I want to say that in the very short time that they are in existence, they have made remarkable stride”.
Reacting to the ACF Chairman’s statement, a Northern group, Arewa Think Tank (ATT) described as a fabricated lies that Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has dumped President Bola Tinubu and endorsed northern Presidential candidates for the 2027 elections.
Arewa Think Tank said ACF couldn’t have spoken on behalf of other political parties against President Tinubu because ACF is apolitical and a sociocultural organisation which members do not have a common political interest.
In a statement on Thursday by the Convener of ATT, Muhammad Alhaji Yakubu, it alleged that some of the media report might have misquoted the position of the ACF following its NEC meeting last Wednesday.
“ACF is not a political organisation that can speak as an opposition party. ACF is apolitical and all its members belong to different political parties, including the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC). So the Forum cannot decide for political parties against President Tinubu.
“Some media reports that the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has announced its support for Northern presidential candidates in the 2027 general elections is nothing but an imaginative news story hanging on the heels of fake news.
“In his remarks at the NEC meeting of the Forum, the ACF Chairman, Mamman Mike Osuman, said that even though some of President Tinubu’s policies are unacceptable by the region, the bulk of the blame over underdevelopment of the North should go to its leaders.
“ACF Chair acknowledged a newly founded Northern group which according to him has some members of ACF as its new members, advising that their well thought out charities should begin at home in the North.
“He admitted that some policies of the current administration are repugnant and adverse to the interests Northern region. ACF believes that certain policies and behaviours of our own leaders within our Region need some critical evaluation.
“The ACF Chairman raised some questions, asking; to what extent are our northern elected leaders demonstrating prudence and concern for our domestic and environmental problems, to what extent are our Governors and legislators synergizing with our traditional leaders in combating ills that exist within our Region.
“Have our parents, religious teachers and the elites initiated an orientation and public awareness that will educate our people on the need for self- defence and self-preservation?.Illegal minings by foreigners aided by our own people exist in some states. What local strategies are on ground towards arresting this vice.
“From the ACF chairman’s speech, Arewa Think Tank believes that the ACF position was well misquoted by some media coverage because from the speech there is no place saying that the ACF has dumped President Tinubu over 2027 presidential election.
“However, we challenge ACF leadership to deny or own up to some of the media reports that North has dumped President Tinubu over the 2027 presidential race” The statement said.
Meanwhile, in a statement announcing the suspension of its National Chairman, ACF said, Osuman acted alone in his statement without consulting or discussing with other leaders and members of the ACF.
According to the statement, “The attention of the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has been drawn to widely reported statements credited to Mr. Mamman Mike Osuman, SAN, OFR, Chairman of the ACF National Executive Committee (NEC), made during the NEC meeting held on Wednesday, November 2024, at the ACF Headquarters in Kaduna.
“In particular, Mr. Osuman was quoted as saying that the North will back a northern candidate for the presidency in 2027.”
The forum clarified that the statements were made by Mr. Osuman without consulting or discussing with other leaders and members of the ACF. They stressed that his remarks represented his personal opinion and not the collective view of the forum.
“ACF rejects Mr. Mamman Mike Osuman’s statements in their entirety. For this reason, the leadership of the ACF Board of Trustees (BOT) and its National Executive Committee (NEC) has decided to place Mr. Mamman Mike Osuman on suspension with immediate effect. A committee has been constituted to investigate the matter further,” the statement read.
