Nigeria’s influential northern socio-political body, the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), says it will not endorse any presidential candidate ahead of the 2027 elections — but will instead subject aspirants to rigorous questioning on how they intend to tackle insecurity and poverty.
ACF National Publicity Secretary, Prof T. A. Muhammad-Baba, told journalists in Kaduna that the forum will, over the next six months, invite declared presidential hopefuls to present concrete strategies for the North and the country at large.
He said the approach mirrors what the forum did ahead of the 2023 polls.
“Just like in the 2023 presidential elections, the forum will invite all aspirants or candidates to explain how each intends to tackle insecurity and poverty, among other issues affecting the northern region, if elected president in 2027,” Muhammad-Baba explained.
According to him, the ACF will also draft a comprehensive position paper outlining priority concerns for the region, which will later be presented to whoever emerges president.
Muhammad-Baba recalled that during the last election cycle, some front-runners — including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) flag bearer, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso — did not honour invitations to address the forum.
However, he noted that then APC candidate, now President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and Labour Party candidate, Peter Obi, attended the ACF’s interactive session.
The forum maintains that open engagement — rather than political endorsement — remains its strongest tool for demanding accountability from those seeking power.
