Atiku Urges ACF to Remember Founding Ideals

In an address marking the 25th anniversary of the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) in Kaduna, former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar urged the organization to realign with its original purpose, fostering unity across Northern Nigeria and championing a progressive development agenda inspired by the legacy of Sir Ahmadu Bello.

Atiku emphasized that the ACF was not merely created as a political bloc but as a catalyst for regional advancement through education, agricultural innovation, and industrialization. He lamented the region’s current developmental inertia and called for immediate, collective action to reverse the trend.

“Our greatest challenge lies not in our diversity, but in our inability to harness it,” Atiku stated. “The North, though not the most diverse region globally, has historically embraced its pluralism. It’s time we transform that diversity into a strength rather than a source of division.”

He stressed that the moment for unity is now, warning against forces that seek to fracture the region along ethnic and religious lines. “We must rise above these divisions, confront our shared challenges head-on, and reclaim the spirit of solidarity that once defined us,” he declared.

Atiku’s remarks come amid growing insecurity in the region, including the recent abduction of over 200 students and teachers from a Catholic school in Niger State—a stark reminder of the urgent need for cohesive leadership and regional cooperation.

By invoking the vision of Northern Nigeria’s founding fathers, Atiku called on the ACF to lead a renaissance rooted in inclusivity, resilience, and purposeful development.