The Arewa Consultative Forum ACF has called for urgent steps towards addressing widening regional disparities in social demographic factors between Northern and Southern parts of the country.
The call is contained in a communiqué at the end of a Two-day National Executive Council Meeting in Kaduna to review its activities.
The communiqué signed by National Secretary of the Forum Professor Muhammad-Baba observed that poor access to education, health, public, infrastructure, economic inclusion, political participation, living conditions among others are factors that must be address for a united Nigeria.
“Governments must move to curb such disparities so as to ensure that Nigeria does not become two-states-in-one. Factors that unify, rather than divide citizens along any lines, should attract the attention of all concerned, government and citizens alike.”
It says the imposition of new taxes and levies by the government was becoming increasingly burdensome for ordinary Nigerians, hence the need for public policy programmes and projects aimed at addressing low purchasing power of citizens.
The communiqué expresses unflinching supports to Nigeria’s security agents in their determined efforts to rid the country of criminality, insecurity and instability and prayed for divine intervention over insurgency, terrorism and banditry.
“ACF calls on citizens to rally around government and offer prayers for God Almightys intervention in our various tribulations such as will translate into a new, prosperous Nigeria where justice, equity, love, righteousness and hope emerge to replace the current despair and hopelessness.”
Earlier in an interview, National Chairman of the Forum Barrister Mamman Mike Ousmam SAN pledged to continue to pursued Northern interest within the context of Nigeria sovereignty.
Cov/Shindong Bala
