*** Insecurity has reduced our region to a daily struggle for survival”— Dr. Tankp
The Arewa Community Forum, Lagos Branch, has issued a scathing critique of Northern Nigerian leaders, citing decades of failed leadership, moral decay, and betrayal of public trust. In a statement signed by Alhaji Dr. Ibrahim Tanko, Chairman of the Board of Trustees, the Forum lambasted the political class for presiding over worsening insecurity, poverty, and social
collapse.
The Forum contrasted the current state of affairs with the early post-independence era, recalling a time when Nigeria’s economy was driven by agriculture and guided by leaders committed to nation-building, equity, and social justice. This period was marked by investments in mass education, scholarships, and institutions that lifted the underprivileged.
Sir Ahmadu Bello, the Sardauna of Sokoto, was cited as an exemplar of governance rooted in social justice and mass education. His leadership, along with that of Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, Sir Kashim Ibrahim, and Mallam Aminu Kano, was characterized as selfless and patriotic.
However, the Forum noted that today’s Northern Nigeria tells a tragic opposite story. Entire sectors of the economy have collapsed, leaving millions of children without access to quality education or employment. Many youths have been forced onto the streets, and some have been branded as terrorists due to circumstances beyond their control.
The statement blamed long-term neglect and the deliberate misallocation of developmental resources for the crisis. Funds meant for schools, hospitals, and community infrastructure were allegedly diverted to criminal networks, political agendas, and personal luxuries.
The Forum warned that insecurity has reduced the region to a struggle for survival, crushing hope among jobless youths and stalling growth. It cautioned that history would harshly judge those responsible for the suffering of the people.
Beyond historical accountability, the Forum invoked a higher moral reckoning, reminding leaders that ultimate judgment rests with Allah. “On the Day of Judgment, power, wealth, and influence will avail no one,” the statement warned.
The Arewa Community Forum emphasized that its message was driven by conscience, accountability, and love for the people of Northern Nigeria. It called on leaders and elders to reflect deeply, reclaim the values of justice and service, and act decisively to rescue the region from further decline and decay.
