ACF Adopts Buhari As Presidential Candidate

The aspiration of the All Progressives Congress presidential candidate, Maj-Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), got a significant boost on Wednesday as the pan-northern socio-political organization, the Arewa Consultative Forum, threw its weight behind him for the February 14 presidential election.

The Forum noted that his earlier endorsement by its National Chairman and former Inspector-General of Police, Alhaji Ibrahim Coomassie, was in order.

The ACF Chairman had in the wake of the APC primary that brought about the candidacy of the former head of state, said the region would support Buhari for the February 14 election.

Coomasie’s statement appeared to have divided the Forum members on the grounds that they were yet to meet to arrive at such a decision.

However, on Wednesday, the ACF reaffirmed the position of its chairman.

It said, “That the NEC Chairman’s statement on the issue of the Forum supporting a northern candidate in the person of General Muhammadu Buhari is hereby reaffirmed”.

According to a communique signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Muhammad Ibrahim, the Forum noted that it was part of its policy to support a northerner in any presidential contest.

The Forum, also warned against disenfranchising Nigerians in the next elections.

Part of the communique read, “It is the policy of the ACF to support any northerner in any presidential election.

“The ACF therefore wishes to reaffirm that statement and dissociates itself from any contrary statement issued by any other member of the Forum.

“The Chairman is constitutionally empowered to direct the affairs of the Forum in a manner that is in consonance with its aims, objectives and policies and also project the image of the Forum at all times”.

The Forum also expressed concern over the continued insecurity in the country, particularly in the North-East states of Adamawa, Borno and Yobe.