By OBSERVERS TIMES.
Northern elites gathered in Kaduna on Wednesday for a pivotal meeting of the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) Board of Trustees (BOT), where pressing issues affecting the region and the nation were discussed. The meeting, chaired by Alhaji Bashir Dalhatu, Wazirin Dutse, highlighted growing concerns over the deteriorating security situation and the rising hostility against Northerners in various parts of the country.
Notable attendees included former governors Ramalan Yero, Ahmed Makarfi, and Ibrahim Shekarau, alongside former Minister of Information Lai Mohammed, former Minister and Governor Simon Lalong, and retired Brigadier General Sani Kukasheka Usman, among others.
In his opening remarks, Dalhatu lamented the worsening insecurity in the North, despite the ongoing efforts of security agencies, and expressed outrage over the persistent violence in states such as Plateau, Borno, Benue, Niger, Zamfara, Sokoto, and Katsina. He described the increasing attacks and discrimination against Northerners living or traveling in Southern Nigeria as unacceptable, emphasizing that this trend betrays the North’s longstanding tradition of hospitality.
Dalhatu called for urgent reforms in land ownership systems to protect the interests of Northerners and prevent landlessness in the region. “The time has come for Northern authorities to act decisively,” he stated. “Despite the commendable efforts of our security forces, the situation has not improved; rather, it continues to deteriorate daily.”
He condemned the rising hostility towards Northerners, noting that even innocent individuals traveling through Southern states face violence and inhumane treatment. “This tragedy has persisted, and successive administrations have failed to address it,” he added.
The BOT chairman urged governors and legislators in Northern states to implement comprehensive reforms in land ownership and control, citing the urgent need to protect local interests amid increasing land acquisition by foreigners. “Northerners must not become landless in their own territory,” he asserted.
Dalhatu also addressed the plight of indigenous people displaced during the creation of Abuja, calling for justice and restitution, including the establishment of a new state for them within the Nigerian federation.
He concluded by warning against premature political maneuvering ahead of the 2027 general elections, asserting that the North is closely observing developments and will support leaders who prioritize the region’s interests.
The meeting underscored the need for unity and decisive action to safeguard the North amid growing challenges.
