The apex northern sociocultural group, Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) yesterday cautioned its members to stop endorsing presidential aspirants for the 2023 general election.
ACF noted that as the race to 2023 general election gathers momentum, its members will be subjected to series of questions from outsiders as to which candidate the forum will endorse for the presidency, hence the need for members to beware of their responses.
ACF chairman, Chief Audu Ogbeh, who gave the charge in his opening remarks at the National Executive Council (NEC) meeting further advised members that their answers to such questions should always be, “ACF is not a political party and will not endorse any candidate”.
Ogbeh also spoke on the need for the forum to hold meeting with its counterparts in South East, South West and South-South in order to douse political tension in the country and ensure peaceful coexistence among Nigerians ahead of the forthcoming general election. Our plans to have meetings with Afenifere, Ohanaeze, South South People’s Congress is still on course because there is need to put a stop to abusive words against one region or the other”. Ogbeh said.
“We should desist from endorsing any candidate for the 2023 presidency. If anybody ask you about endorsement, tell such person that we are not political party.
“Even for the 2023, we do not know yet who the candidate is. We are not political party. We do not participate in political activities except where it becomes necessary. May God help us with good candidate. It is only the Almighty God that can solve our problem. “Our plans to have meetings with our counterpart; South South People’s Congress, Afenifere, Ohanaeze is still in progress. Once we are done with the plan we will let you know. We need to make peace. Abusive words on social media will not help us. We don’t want chaos in this country. If we turn refugees, where do we go? We will abandon all our property because we cannot carry anything along with us other than Ghana-Must-Go bag,” he said.
