As Northern Nigeria grapples with worsening insecurity and deepening divisions, the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has appointed two prominent national figures, Lt. Gen. AbdulRahman Dambazau and Alhaji Yayale Ahmed, to lead critical committees aimed at addressing these challenges. In a statement released on Sunday, the ACF announced the formation of these committees to strategize solutions for the most pressing issues facing the region.
Former Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. AbdulRahman Dambazau, was named as the chairman of the Security Committee. He will be assisted by former Inspector General of Police, Mohammed D. Abubakar, as his deputy. This committee is expected to develop a detailed action plan that could help mitigate the escalating violence caused by insurgencies, banditry, and ethnic conflicts that have long plagued the northern states. The goal is to create a robust framework that can be implemented not only by state governments but also by federal authorities.
On the other hand, the Unity and Reconciliation Committee will be chaired by Alhaji Yayale Ahmed, a former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), who is known for his experience in governance and conflict resolution. This committee is tasked with the delicate challenge of fostering unity in a region often divided by ethnic, religious, and political differences. As part of their mandate, the committee will be consulting with various stakeholders to create a roadmap for reconciliation, peacebuilding, and development.
The ACF, which is the most influential socio-political group in Northern Nigeria, made these appointments in response to the increasing calls for leadership in tackling the multifaceted crises engulfing the region. According to Professor Tukur Muhammad-Baba, the ACF’s National Publicity Secretary, the committees are expected to work diligently and submit their blueprints by mid-November. These strategic documents will then guide efforts toward stabilizing the region and restoring the unity that has been fractured by years of violence and socio-economic instability.
The committees’ work comes at a time when Northern Nigeria has been in the spotlight for security failures, with groups such as Boko Haram and bandits frequently attacking villages, abducting citizens, and crippling local economies. Political analysts believe the formation of these committees signals a critical turning point, where northern leaders are stepping up to play a more active role in shaping the region’s future.
With seasoned leaders like Dambazau and Ahmed at the helm, hopes are high that these committees will provide the much-needed leadership to tackle the crises in Northern Nigeria. The ACF is optimistic that through coordinated efforts and the expertise of these leaders, the northern region will see a renewed push for peace, security, and unity.
Peoplesmind