The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has suspended its chairman, Mamman Osuman, following remarks he made during a recent meeting suggesting that the North would back a presidential candidate from their region in the 2027 elections.
The forum clarified that Osuman’s comments were his personal opinion and not reflective of ACF’s collective stance, emphasizing that no consultation had taken place within the leadership on the matter. The suspension follows public backlash and accusations of divisive rhetoric undermining ACF’s unity and credibility.
Regional groups such as Afenifere and Ohanaeze Ndigbo criticized Osuman’s remarks, reaffirming their support for President Bola Tinubu and attributing Nigeria’s current economic challenges to the legacy of the previous administration under Muhammadu Buhari. They argued that the North’s struggles stem from systemic issues like education deficits and poverty rather than Tinubu’s policies.
Within the ACF, members remain divided on the roots of the region’s challenges. While some blamed the socio-economic problems, including the Almajiri system, others, including critics from the Labour Party, pointed to ineffective leadership across successive governments, regardless of regional origin.
The ACF has stated its commitment to fostering unity and addressing pressing concerns in the North without partisan bias as it navigates this internal controversy.
