Mahdi Shehu slams ACF, says group celebrating vanity while North remains in decay

Activist and public commentator, Mahdi Shehu, has criticised the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), accusing its members of celebrating wealth and personal comfort while ignoring the worsening conditions in Northern Nigeria.

In a post on X on Saturday, Shehu described the ACF’s 25th anniversary as a celebration of vanity and affluence, arguing that the group has failed to contribute meaningfully to the progress of the region.

Shehu claimed the members of ACF are not elected, not appointed, and not representing anybody, but rather a lobby group made up of individuals who want to remain relevant after exhausting their opportunities in public service.

According to him, many of those in the group benefited from free education funded by the labour and resources of northern villagers but chose personal enrichment over community service.

He alleged that although they enjoyed government-funded training and rose to top positions in public and security services, they planned only for themselves and their families.

Sadly over 80% of them planned only for themselves and their immediate family members, forgetting their humble beginnings and backgrounds. Rather than reciprocating the gesture that made them what they are, they opted to ride on the back of the North, amassed so much power and wealth thereby contributing in destroying the same North they are supposed to protect.

Shehu said the North’s decline happened with their active participation, blaming what he described as years of greed, neglect, and divisive politics.