Arewa Consultative Forum Endorses Buhari For Second Term

President Muhammadu Buhari speaks during a meeting at the State House in Abuja.

The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has endorsed President Muhammadu Buhari for second term ahead of the presidential election scheduled to hold on Saturday.

The forum announced its support for the President in a statement by its acting Chairman, Musa Kwande, on Tuesday.

It noted that it carefully studied the antecedents of major presidential candidates, the manifestoes and policy documents of their parties, alongside the need for social, political and economic stability in the country.

The ACF explained that this made it come to the conclusion that President Buhari deserved a second term to consolidate on his achievements.

It added that its stand was informed by the strides taken by the Buhari administration to improve and reposition the nation economically.

Some of the steps highlighted by the forum include the multi-billion Dollar Mambilla hydropower project, the exploration of oil in Gongola Basin of the Benue through the Baro inland port, the North East Development Commission, and the ongoing rail line projects nationwide among other critical infrastructural development projects.

The ACF stressed that the capacity to tackle security challenges, fighting corruption, and boosting the economy by way of diversification away from over-dependence on oil, and the integrity of the President to raise the image of Nigeria in the comity of nations was important in the election.

The statement read, “The decision on who to elect should not be based on any form of inducements, mob hysteria, intimidation or false promises, but by calm and deliberate consideration of the candidates’ qualities of leadership, performance and moral standing in their public and private lives.

“The ACF is, therefore, of the view that certain attributes such as clarity of thought, unity of purpose, content of character and morality of the candidates, their leadership qualities, performance and general acceptability of the candidates contesting for not only the office of the president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria but also for other elective offices should guide voters in making their choices.

“ACF also calls on the politicians and their supporters as well as the electorates to avoid all forms of violence before, during and after the elections.

“This is because violence is never a solution to any grievances. It not only destroys our democratic process but also lives and property. Democracy is a contest of ideas and reasons.

“Also, ACF urges the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to live up its promise and assurances for credible, free and fair elections.”