The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has issued a strong warning against the growing proliferation of parallel groups and associations in Northern Nigeria, describing them as a direct threat to the unity and purpose for which the ACF was founded 25 years ago.
Speaking at the Forum’s Board of Trustees (BOT) meeting in Kaduna on Tuesday, Chairman of the BOT, Alhaji Bashir M. Dalhatu, Wazirin Dutse, reaffirmed the ACF’s role as the legitimate and central voice of Northern Nigeria, while cautioning against what he termed “unhealthy proliferation” of organisations with overlapping aims.
There are concerns that some columnists are out to cause confusion within the group.
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“In deference to the memory of our elder statesmen who laboured to unify the North under one umbrella, Northerners who have or are thinking of creating parallel or splinter groups should rethink their actions and come back within the ACF.
“There is enough room in the ACF to accommodate all Northerners,” he said.
Dalhatu reminded members of the Forum’s historical roots, noting that it was formed in 2000 through the consolidation of several respected northern groups, including the Turaki Committee led by former President Shehu Shagari, the Unity and Development Foundation under Alhaji Sule Katagum, and the Northern Elders Forum.
“Our strength lies in our unity, in pooling resources together and in speaking with one voice on all matters affecting our people and our region,” Dalhatu emphasised.
The ACF BOT meeting, which included state chapter chairmen, their secretaries, and members of Arewa100% Focus, also addressed the issue of inconsistent messaging from ACF officials at the national and state levels.
Dalhatu noted that contradictory public statements were damaging to the Forum’s credibility and cohesion.
He announced that a draft communication policy had been prepared to streamline how ACF speaks to the press and the public.
“No doubt, the ACF today stands in great need of a firm protocol that should guide and regulate the manner in which officials speak about our affairs,” he stated.
Another major focus of the meeting was preparations for the ACF’s upcoming Silver Jubilee, scheduled for November 20–22, 2025.
The event will celebrate 25 years of ACF’s existence and will include fundraising for a permanent national headquarters and the launch of an Endowment Fund to support youth and women empowerment across the region.
Ahead of the 2027 general elections, Dalhatu reiterated the Forum’s apolitical stance, stressing that while individual members may have party affiliations, the ACF remains politically neutral and committed to Nigeria’s unity, democracy, and good governance.
In his closing remarks, the Wazirin Dutse issued a passionate appeal: “Let us not betray the vision of our founding fathers. Let us preserve the unity of purpose that brought us together as one Arewa under the ACF.”
Proliferation of Northern groups
There has been a proliferation of Northern groups that are also speaking on behalf of the region, which the ACF feels is not yielding positive results for the region and its people.
Among the popular Northern groups speaking for the North is the Northern Elders Forum (NEF), led by Professor Ango Abdullahi.
Another Northern group named Arewa Cohesion for Peace, Unity and Development Initiative was recently launched in Kaduna by former Governor of Sokoto State, Attahiru Bafarawa, as BOT Chairman, with Dr Abdullahi Idris as the Director General of the group.
There are also other groups like the Coalition of Northern Groups (CNG), Arewa Youth Consultative Forum, the League of Northern Democrats, Arewa Youth Consultative Council, Arewa Defence League (ADL), and Arewa Research and Development Projects (ARDP), among others.
There are also other youth groups that attach their names to Arewa or Northern identities and often claim to be speaking for the region.
However, there are concerns that these youth groups were established for political motives, as they frequently publicly declare support for or endorse politicians across different political parties, mainly during general elections.
