The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has urged President Bola Tinubu’s administration to publicly acknowledge the shortcomings of its economic reform policies and establish clear, measurable timelines for delivering relief to Nigerians facing severe economic hardship.
​The call was contained in a formal press statement issued on Thursday, October 8, 2026, at the ACF National Headquarters in Kaduna by the forum’s National Publicity Secretary, Professor Tukur Muhammad-Baba.
​Speaking on behalf of the northern socio-cultural group, Muhammad-Baba emphasized that the Federal Government needs an “open admission” that its current economic trajectory is not yielding the intended results, rather than making unachievable promises to the public.
​”The administration must openly acknowledge public concerns, demonstrate a genuine willingness to address them, and ensure that improvements are reflected in the day-to-day living standards of ordinary citizens,” Muhammad-Baba stated.
“Be modest and tell us what you can do within a few months. We do not expect the government to reinvent the wheel, but to ensure that existing policies and economic measures work effectively.”
​The apex northern organisation criticised the growing gap between the sacrifices demanded of ordinary citizens and the lifestyles maintained by political leaders.
​”The rate at which the sufferings of Nigerians are increasing while the sacrifices being called for are not extended to the political leaders themselves is actually shameful,” Muhammad-Baba said.
​Illustrating the strain on rural agricultural economies, the spokesperson pointed to agrarian realities across the region: “You spend ₦50,000 on farm preparation and cultivation, and then you take your produce to the market and it sells for ₦40,000. What kind of economy is that? You might call it voodoo economics.”
​The ACF further faulted the administration’s focus, cautioning political actors against prioritizing early maneuverings for the 2027 general elections over urgent issues of national governance and escalating security challenges.
​The forum expressed concern over persistent insecurity in parts of the country, noting that armed non-state actors continue to disrupt agricultural production, displace communities, and destabilise local livelihoods.
​Looking ahead to future political cycles, the ACF stated it would evaluate political candidates and parties strictly based on concrete commitments to good governance, accountability, equity, and practical solutions to poverty and insecurity.
​The forum called on the Federal Government to set realistic, short-term economic milestones and communicate transparently with the Nigerian public to restore trust and ease the nationwide cost-of-living crisis.
