Arewa Community Forum, Lagos Branch has flayed Northern leadership for not living up to the expectations of the people of the region.
It also warned of the dire consequences if it failed to amend its ways in the years ahead.
In a New Year statement made available to newsmen, it denounced Northern Nigerian leaders and elders for what it described as decades of failed leadership, moral decay, and a profound betrayal of public trust.
Among other things, the forum accuses the political class of presiding over what it called “worsening insecurity, poverty, and social collapse” across the region.
It also warned that history and God will ultimately hold Northern leadership accountable for the suffering endured by the people of the region over the years.
According to the statement which was signed by its Chairman, Board of Trustees, Alhaji Dr. Ibrahim Tanko, the forum said it was “ironically extending thanks” to Nigeria’s political leadership for presiding over the steady collapse of regional stability, social cohesion, and economic opportunity.
It argued that these failures have now exposed Nigeria, nay Nigerians to damaging foreign scrutiny, including the United States of America (USA) designation of Nigeria as a country of particular concern.
It averred that the present reality in the country differs significantly with the early post-independence era just as it recalled that at that time, Nigeria’s economy was agriculturally driven, relatively stable, and guided by leaders committed to nation-building, equity, and social justice.
Describing the founding generation as “selfless patriots” whose governance philosophy placed the welfare of the common citizens above personal ambition, it also highlighted Northern Nigeria’s legacy of principled leadership.
It enumerated the contributions of the late Sardauna of Sokoto, Sir Ahmadu Bello whose investments in mass education, scholarships, and institutions were designed to lift the underprivileged and ensure inclusive development through initiatives such as the Northern Nigeria Development Corporation (NNDC).
It also made reference to other leaders of the Northern region at the time who made governance rooted in social justice and mass education their watchword. These include Nigeria’s former Prime Minister, Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, Sir Kashim Ibrahim, and Mallam Aminu Kano.
It expressed dismay that today’s Northern Nigeria tells a tragic opposite story with the collapse of the entire sectors of the economy, leaving millions of children without access to quality education or employment over the years.
It maintained that not a few youths in the region have been forced into the streets and in some cases branded as terrorists due to circumstances beyond their control, resulting in avoidable bloodshed and the loss of innocent lives.
It blamed the present crisis in the region on long-term neglect and the deliberate misallocation of developmental resources.
The forum alleged that funds meant for schools, hospitals, and community infrastructure were diverted to criminal networks, political agendas, and personal luxuries of the present Northern leaders even as it accused political elites of investing oil wealth abroad and educating their own children overseas while exploiting uneducated local youths as tools for political manipulations back home.
According to the forum, insecurity has reduced our region to a struggle for survival. We are warning that this environment has crushed hope among jobless youths and stalled growth while other regions in the country are advancing.
Describing insecurity as a weapon used to suppress progress, it cautioned that history would harshly judge those responsible for the present poor state of things in the Northern region.
Besides historical accountability, the forum invoked a higher moral reckoning, reminding leaders that ultimate judgment rests with Allah even as it added: “On the day of judgment, power, wealth, and influence will avail no one.”
It emphasized that its message was not driven by hatred but by conscience, accountability, and love for the people of Northern Nigeria.
It called on leaders and elders in the region to reflect deeply, reclaim the values of justice and service to their fatherland.
The forum argued that the way out to rescue the region from further decline and decay is for its present leaders to act decisively before it is too late to do so.
