The endorsement of the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Muhammadu Buhari, by the Northern socio-cultural group, Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), has split the group as some members have kicked against the decision.
Speaking in Makurdi, the Benue State capital, on behalf of the ACF in the North Central zone, a founding member of the forum who is also a lawmaker in the Benue State House of Assembly, Audu Sule, said the endorsement was in breach of the constitution of the forum.
Mr. Audu Sule who made reference to parts of their constitution noted that the forum explicitly agrees that it is a non-political organisation, and wondered why the forum would adopt a member when other members and Northern Nigerian citizens are also standing in the same election with President Buhari.
The ACF in a statement by its chairman, Musa Kwande, on Tuesday announced the group’s endorsement of President Buhari for a second term ahead of the presidential election scheduled to hold on Saturday.
He noted that the ACF came to the decision after carefully studying the antecedents of the major presidential candidates, the manifestoes and policy documents of their parties, alongside the need for social, political and economic stability in the country.
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“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,” he stated.
The ACF explained that President Buhari deserved a second term to consolidate on his achievements, given the strides made by the Buhari administration to improve and reposition the nation economically.
