ACF accuses presidency of dividing the North ...Canvasses holding all elections in one day. Written by Hassan Ibrahim-Kaduna With Agency Reports

The pan Northern socio-cultural organisation, Arewa Consultative Forum
(ACF), on Thursday, accused thePresidency of engaging in acts capable
of dividing the North.
While speaking at the Annual General Meeting(AGM) of the forum in
Kaduna,Chairman of the ACF, Alhaji Aliko Mohammed, Dan Iyan Misau,
said it was very sad that the Presidency had employed the divide and
rule tactics against the North.
He said it was very glaring because they had noticed with dismay that
some members of the organisation had gone to the President and assured
him that he must contest for 2015 election.
"We are really surprised that some members that went there are also
members of ACF. I am speaking particularly of two gentlemen; the two
gentlemen I am referring to, one is of ACF and the other is of
Northern Elders Forum. The representative from ACF is retired General
Lawrence Onoja, he was actually part of the group that went to see the
President. Also, one of the elders, Senator John Wash Pam, was there,"
he said.
He said they were surprised that the gentlemen had really gone to see
thePresident particularly Onoja that was with them in ACF during their
recent trips and meetings.
Meanwhile, the ACF also on Thursday, canvassed the holding of the 2015
general election in one day.
The Chairman, ACF Board of Trustees, General Jeremiah Useni (rtd) made
the call in a message to the opening of the meeting in Kaduna.
Useni, who was represented by the Chairman of the forum, Alhaji Aliko
Mohammed, said holding the electionin a day would ensure transparency
and acceptability of the polls.
" We have noticed that for a free and fair elections in 2015 there
should be only one election day," he said.
"If Kenya would have one day election for seven elections, that is,
the President, Governors, Senators, House of Representatives, State
Houses Assembly and Local Governments all in one day, why not Nigeria.
"We also feel it is going to be cheaperand all the security thing will
be doneon that same day. If Kenya can do it I don't see any reason why
Nigeria cannot do it."
The chairman said the forum would approach the Independent National
Electoral Commission (INEC) with the suggestion, which he said would
ensure that the peoples' vote count.
On national politics, Useni accused the Federal Government of adopting
adivide-and-rule tactics to polarise theNorth ahead of the 2015
election.
"I am very sad that the presidency have started divide and rule on the
north. Recently we noticed with dismay that some members of this
organisation have gone to the president and assured him that he must
contest for election in 2015.
"We were surprised that some of the members that went there are also
members of ACF. Particularly two gentlemen. The two gentlemen one
belongs to ACF and the other one is in Elders forum. We were surprised
because one of them has being very helpful to us."
The Chairman said the forum was making efforts to reconcile all
political camps in the region, including the Northern Governors, for
the attainment of the common vision and goals of the region.
" Also I am saying that during one of our visits to Kano when we saw
the Kano State Governor, he suggested that ACF should reconcile the
leadership of the north, I think now it is necessary for ACF to
intervene on what is happening with regards to Northern governors.
" We are not talking about Nigerian Governors Forum where 36 people
cannot decide who to lead them. We are talking about north where
alreadytwo governors have withdrawn. It is something that should not
be.''
He decried the continuing insecurity in the region, and pledged that
the ACF would continue to work for social, economic and political
development of the area.
Presenting the ACF Annual Report, theSecretary General, Col. Musa
Shehu (rtd) said the insecurity in the region had necessitated a tour
of the region by some of the members.
Shehu added that the members also met with elders from the Southern
part of the country and various cultural organisation to discuss
issuesthat would reform the country, improve moral values and ideals.