The Northern Ethnic Nationality Forum (NENF), a coalition of socio-cultural and political leaders from the 19 northern states, has raised serious concerns over the worsening insecurity across Nigeria.
The forum has urged President Bola Tinubu to reshuffle his cabinet and overhaul the nation’s security architecture to address the ongoing crises effectively.
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In a strongly worded statement issued on Sunday, the forum highlighted its deep concern over the worsening conditions in the region.
The statement, signed by its Convener, Dominic Alancha, noted the “painful conditions of the people of Northern Nigeria and the nation at large.”
After extensive consultations, the group demanded urgent, transformative action to address the crises.
Alancha said: “A ministerial appointment is not merely a reward for loyalty; it is a critical assignment.
“We therefore call on President Tinubu to immediately dissolve and reshuffle the Federal Executive Council (FEC),” the forum stated.
“They should replace underperforming ministers with individuals of proven integrity, exceptional capability, and significant political influence.”
On the security situation, the forum lamented that banditry, terrorism, and kidnapping have crippled farming, commerce, and transportation across the region.
They described the situation as a “full-blown catastrophe.”
It declared that the current Service Chiefs had failed despite enormous resources at their disposal and called for their immediate dismissal.
“This is not a call for militarization but for a targeted, multi-agency emergency operation to flush out terrorists, dismantle their networks, and restore order,” the statement emphasised.
While commending some of Tinubu’s economic reforms, including fuel subsidy removal and foreign exchange unification, NENF urged the government to cushion citizens from hardship.
It also recommended accelerated rollout of palliatives, massive investment in agriculture and manufacturing, and tangible improvements in power, transport, and infrastructure.
The forum further stressed that support for Tinubu’s 2027 ambition is contingent upon “effective, empathetic, and decisive governance,” warning that the time for action is now.
