The Board of Trustees (BOT) of the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has declared that the Northern region will be pivotal in determining the outcome of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections.
This was stated by the BOT Chairman, Alhaji Bashir M. Dalhatu, during a recent meeting. He noted that pressure was mounting from Northern elders for the Forum to critically assess the projects and programmes of politicians ahead of the elections, especially those that significantly impact Northern Nigeria.
“The North has 19 out of the 36 states. We also have the FCT as a veritable component. We have a majority in the Senate, the House of Representatives, the National Economic Council, and the Council of States,” Dalhatu said.
He emphasized the North’s strategic advantages, pointing out that it covers about 75% of Nigeria’s landmass and houses nearly 60% of the population. “An area that is this big and this strong can never be subdued by any opponent provided we remain united and place our region above all other considerations,” he stated.
The ACF also voiced concern over worsening insecurity in the North and urged the federal government to take immediate action before the situation deteriorates further.
Alhaji Dalhatu condemned the historical displacement of indigenous communities in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), whose lands were taken without proper compensation for the development of the nation’s capital.
He warned against the premature focus on the 2027 elections, stressing that elected officials must be held accountable for their ongoing performance. “Northern Nigeria is watching and auditing the actions of elected and appointed officials, especially at the federal level,” he noted.
The Forum revealed it had received proposals from regional elders to establish a special committee that would review government policies and assess their impact on the North. The outcome of this review, they said, would inform the region’s political alignment going forward.
Dalhatu also criticized what he described as a double standard in land ownership rights, alleging that while Southerners are acquiring land in the North, Northerners face restrictions in the South.
The ACF concluded by reaffirming its commitment to supporting leaders and policies that prioritize the interests of Northern Nigeria, regardless of political affiliation.
