by Achadu Gabriel, Kaduna
The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has called on Nigerians to use the 66th Independence Anniversary as a period of sober reflection on the state of the nation, particularly the suffering of people across the country from insecurity, displacement, economic hardship and poverty.
In his Independence Message issued from the Chairman’s Desk on October 1st, 2026, Chairman of ACF, Mamman Mike Osuman, SAN, extended warm greetings and renewed assurance of hope to all Nigerians, especially those in the Arewa region.
Osuman said as the nation marks 66 years of independence, it is appropriate to reflect on the experiences of citizens across geographical locations, many of whom continue to suffer from natural disasters, insecurity, displacement, economic hardship and multifaceted deprivation.
“These challenges have disrupted economic activities, closed schools, separated families and, in many instances, broken homes and destroyed livelihoods. Sadly, some of these painful and inhuman circumstances are perpetrated or aggravated by persons into whose hands we have entrusted the responsibility of leadership and governance,” he said.
He stressed that leadership is a sacred trust, and those entrusted with public authority must remember they hold such positions for the people and for the common good.
On the forthcoming elections, the ACF chairman reiterated his call for all eligible Nigerians to obtain their Permanent Voter’s Cards, PVCs, and participate responsibly in the electoral process.
He urged citizens to vote, based on individual analysis, conscience, judgment and assessment of candidates and issues, rather than merely responding to directives of any political party.
“The vote of every citizen is a personal expression of choice and a constitutional instrument for determining who should be entrusted with public responsibility. Let us, therefore, vote responsibly, peacefully and conscientiously,” Osuman stated.
He cautioned that the period leading to elections and immediately after can be tense and hazardous, urging citizens, particularly youths, to exercise restraint and avoid trouble-prone locations and gatherings.
“No political contest is worth the loss of a human life. Let us reject violence, inflammatory rhetoric, provocation and the destruction of lives and property. Differences of political opinion should never become reasons for hatred, violence or the destruction of our communities,” he warned.
The forum also called for introspection, asking whether the North has become increasingly individualistic or still committed to collective responsibility, and whether diversity is being used as strength or justification for division along tribe, faith and political lines.
“The strength of any society lies not merely in its numbers or resources, but in the quality of its unity, its shared values, its commitment to justice and its willingness to place the common good above narrow personal interests. The North must, therefore, continually remind itself that our diversity should be a source of strength and not a justification for division,” the statement read.
Osuman further emphasized the responsibility of parents, elders and teachers in shaping the character of young people, urging them to instill values of honesty, discipline, respect, hard work, tolerance, patriotism and respect for rule of law.
“The future of Nigeria cannot be secured by government alone. It requires the collective responsibility of families, traditional institutions, religious leaders, educational institutions, civil society organisations and citizens,” he added.
The forum, therefore, called for renewed commitment to peace, unity, responsible citizenship, justice, good governance and dignity of every Nigerian, stressing that Nigeria belongs to all citizens, despite differences in tribe, faith and political persuasion.