The Northern Youth Assembly, a coalition representing youths from the 19 northern states of Nigeria, has issued a seven-day ultimatum to the Board of Trustees (BOT) of the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) to lift the suspension of the group’s National Executive Council (NEC) chairman, Mr. Mamman Mike Osuman, SAN.
Last Thursday, the ACF suspended Osuman after the northern body criticised President Bola Tinubu’s policies, saying it had impoverished the North.
It also declared that the apex northern socio-cultural body would back only northern candidates in 2027.
The ACF suspended Osuman in a letter signed by its secretary-general, Murtala Aliyu.
Reacting however, the northern youths, in a statement signed by its president, Dr Ali Mohammed Idris, and national secretary, Dr Abdulhafiz Garba, warned that failure to comply with their demand would compel them to mobilise youths across the northern states to occupy the ACF secretariat in Kaduna.
The statement described the suspension as “shameful” and “undemocratic,” accusing the BoT of undermining Osuman’s reputation.
The group criticised the ACF for failing to align with the interests of the masses, especially during what it described as a period of worsening economic hardship under the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
It accused Tinubu of pursuing “dangerous and anti-people economic policies” influenced by international financial institutions like the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank, which they claim have exacerbated poverty in the country.
“The action against the chairman was clearly aimed at pleasing President Tinubu for self-serving interests,” the statement read.
“This is despite the Northern region’s political support for him in the 2023 elections. Such actions display desperation and disregard for democratic principles.”
The group warned that, should the BoT of ACF fail to reinstate Osuman within the stipulated time, they might consider launching a regional campaign to support a northern candidate in the 2027 elections.
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