The suspension of Mamman Osuman, Chairman of the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), has stirred political reactions across Nigeria. Osuman was suspended following his remarks about the North's support for a northern presidential candidate in 2027, which the ACF leadership condemned as his personal opinion, not a collective decision. This move comes after Osuman criticized President Bola Tinubu's economic policies, which he believes have worsened the conditions in the North.
The suspension has drawn mixed responses from political groups. Afenifere, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, and other regional organizations supported Tinubu, attributing the current economic woes to policies started under former President Muhammadu Buhari, rather than solely blaming Tinubu. The Labour Party and opposition parties cautioned the ACF against divisive rhetoric, calling for unity to address national challenges.
On the other hand, the All Progressives Congress (APC) criticized the ACF's stance, claiming it cannot speak for the entire North, as the ACF is not a political party. They emphasized that, in a democracy, the final decision rests with the people, and it's too early to discuss the 2027 elections.
In a related development, several northern groups, including the League of Northern Democrats (LND), ACF, and Northern Elders Forum, have formed a coalition aimed at securing the North’s political future. This coalition seeks to address issues like poverty, insecurity, and illiteracy while focusing on a shared vision for Northern Nigeria’s progress.
The debate around the suspension and the coalition highlights the complex political landscape in Nigeria as it navigates economic challenges, regional interests, and preparations for the 2027 elections.
