A leading member of the All Progressive Congress (APC) in Kano, Ilyasu Kwankwaso, has called on the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), to focus on resolving the myriads of problems faced by the North that including banditry and kidnapping instead for attacking the federal government on political issues.
He advised the ACF to initiate a roundtable discussion, that would involved religious, traditional and political leaders of the region irrespective of their affiliations to find a way forward in tackling myriad of problems in the north.
He made the assertion on Thursday, in Kano while reacting to the recent outcome of ACF meeting held in Kaduna in which a communique was issued attacking the federal government on alleged neglect of the region.
It will be recalled that in a communiqué issued after its National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held in Kaduna on Wednesday, the ACF expressed dissatisfaction with the current administration’s economic policies, stating that they have worsened the hardship faced by the average Nigerian.
The communiqué was signed by Prof. Tukur Muhammad-Baba, ACF’s National Publicity Secretary.
The forum also highlighted the unique vulnerabilities of the northern region, noting that its people are disproportionately affected by food insecurity, limited access to education and skills training, and reliance on microeconomic activities for survival.
Reacting to various allegations against president Bola Tinubu, Kwankwaso said that “we the north should look inward on how to solve pressing menaces facing us and stop a ball game attitude of transfer of aggression on President Tinubu.”
He also said that though it is normal for the ACF to speak on issues threatening the northern states, but they should also try to look for a true panacea of confronting the challenges of the region.
He added that whatever might be discussed at the roundtable with sincerity and one mind, if tabled before President Tinubu, he would give it utmost consideration and attention, “because Mr.President has listening ears to whatever issues affecting the country” he said.
“We in the north should listen and act on what the former Sokoto state governor, Attahiru Bafarawa said, that we do not like ourselves. This is more of the reason why we have not been able to unite and face the challenges bedeviling the region” he stated.
Kwankwaso further stated that the present problems facing, especially the north, was not started by Tinubu’s administration but were inherited from previous administrations.