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“We’re Non-Partisan; We Criticize Tinubu as We Did Buhari” – Arewa Group.
The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has reiterated its commitment to impartiality, emphasizing that its criticisms of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration are in line with the same standards it applied during the tenure of former President Muhammadu Buhari.
Speaking on Arise TV, the ACF Secretary-General, Murtala Aliyu, clarified that the forum’s stance is non-partisan and rooted in the pursuit of good governance for the benefit of the entire northern region and Nigeria as a whole.
ACF’s Neutral Stance on Governance
Aliyu addressed claims suggesting that the ACF’s criticism of Tinubu’s leadership stems from ethnic bias.
He dismissed such assertions, stating:
“We consistently brought attention to government actions and pressed for improvement when necessary.
Our interest is not in partisanship but in advocating for the collective benefit of the north and the entire country.”
He explained that the ACF’s primary focus is to evaluate candidates based on their potential to address national and regional challenges, regardless of their political affiliations.
“Selecting candidates is the responsibility of political parties.
We evaluate who can deliver better for the nation and the north.
We are not anti-Tinubu or anti-Buhari but pro-good governance.”
Internal Conflict Within the ACF
Aliyu’s statement follows recent controversy within the ACF after its National Chairman, Mamman Osuman, reportedly announced the forum’s support for a northern presidential candidate in the 2027 elections.
This announcement sparked debate, as it was perceived as a shift toward partisanship.
In response, the ACF leadership suspended Osuman, citing that his statement was unauthorized and did not reflect the consensus of the forum’s members.
The forum reaffirmed its neutrality, emphasizing that Osuman acted independently and without consultation.
Criticism of Northern Leaders
The controversy further highlighted underlying frustrations within the ACF regarding governance in the north.
Osuman had earlier criticized northern governors and lawmakers for failing to address the region’s socio-economic challenges, particularly the economic hardship attributed to Tinubu’s policies.
The ACF has called on northern leaders to take more proactive steps in addressing the region’s pressing issues, including hunger, insecurity, and economic deprivation.
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