The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has formally adopted the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd.), as the North’s candidate for the February 24 presidential ballot.

ACF National Publicity Secretary Muhammad Ibrahim said the National Executive Council (NEC) during its meeting yesterday at its headquarters in Kaduna reaffirmed the earlier statement of its Chairman, Alhaji Ibrahim Ahmadu Coomassie, in this regard.

“It is the policy of the ACF to support any Northerner in any presidential election. The ACF therefore wishes to reaffirm that statement and dissociates itself from any contrary statement issued by any other member of the Forum. The Chairman is constitutionally empowered to direct the affairs of the Forum in a manner that is in consonance with its aims, objectives and policies and also project the image of the Forum at all times,” Ibrahim said in a statement issued after the meeting.
He said that the meeting faulted the statement made by the Chairman of the Independent national Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Attahiru Jega, creating doubts on the possibility of conducting elections in the areas affected by the current insurgency in parts of the North. ACF rather reiterated “its earlier statement that 2015 general elections must hold in all the nooks and crannies of Nigeria. Internally Displaced Persons must be allowed to exercise their civic responsibilities. INEC and the Federal Government must ensure that the elections are successfully conducted. No one should be disenfranchised.”

On latest developments on the war against insurgency, the statement said: “The meeting deliberated with great pains on the continually deteriorating security situation in the country, especially in the North East, and other issues and consequently resolved to issue the following statements;

“That the spate of continued and increasing violence with consequent loss of lives and property with many being dislocated and made refugees in their own country and neighbouring countries and who largely remain uncared for has still not been addressed in spite of the Forum’s and other concerned Nigerians’ persistent and consistent calls on the Federal Government to take drastic action against the insurgents. Incidentally, only this morning the people of Biu in Borno State were viciously attacked; however, we understand that the Military was able to repel the insurgents after heavy exchange of fire. The Forum therefore commends the gallantry of the Military and sympathises with the victims of this latest carnage.

“The condition in which many displaced people are now kept in the various camps is appalling and inhuman. The Federal and State Governments are once more reminded of their responsibilities to provide adequate rehabilitation to take care of Internally Displaced Persons. (IDPs). ACF also appreciates the support of philanthropists and urged them to continue the good work.
“The Forum reiterates its call on the Federal Government to step up offensive attack on the insurgents and bring an end to this unnecessary wanton destruction of lives and property.”
•Photo shows Buhari.

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