ACF noted that the first republic leaders laid a solid foundation the nation’s development and growth, but regretted that the crops of leaders after them plunged Nigeria into the present woes.
In a statement issued by the National Publicity of ACF, Alhaji Mohammad Ibrahim Biu on Sunday, “The journey over the years, considering our diversity and complexity, has been full of challenges in the areas of national security, peaceful coexistence, political and economic development.”
“Our founding fathers laid a good foundation for a prosperous Nigeria. However, the instability we have had in our polity, especially the military coups and the 30 months of civil war, as well as the insecurity posed by insurgence, the herdsmen saga and kidnapping have tended to affect and distort our political and socioeconomic development as a nation.”
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According to the Arewa leaders, “At 58, Nigeria is yet to realize its full potential and deliver on the aspirations and expectations of its citizens.”
However, they said that: “we have been able to sustain the unity and stability of the country despite the upheavals experienced” while also adding, “We have also recorded and witnessed some progress in many areas that include education, infrastructural development, economy and relative political stability.”
Alhaji Biu argued that: “Our 19 years of continues presidential system of democracy has placed Nigeria as one of the developing economies with high potential for greatness. The current challenges are part of the processes of nation-building should not be allowed to test our collective will and resolve.”
“Rather, they require the cooperation and support of all Nigerians in order to pave the way for a united, peaceful and prosperous nation. We should not allow the temporary challenges to redefine our collective destiny or set our national agenda.”
“ACF, therefore, salutes the governments and people of Nigeria for their determination, perseverance, patience, confidence and hope in our nation, and urges most especially our leaders, both elected and appointed at all levels to honour their social contract with the electorates.”
“ACF equally appeals to our politicians to refrain from fanning the embers of disunity, promotion of cleavages along ethnic and religious lines in their electioneering campaigns towards the 2019 general elections.”
“Nigerians expect to see transparency, fairness, justice and equity in the electoral processes both within the political parties and the conduct of elections by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). It is only through fair and just process of elections that our democracy will continue to grow and develop like other developed nations.
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