The north elder’s forum NEF clearly and openly express their displeasure over the state of poverty and insecurity in the country especially during Buhari’s administration since 2015. Although, these two major challenges facing Nigerian are inherited from past administration but according to NEF things seems to have moved from bad to worse. President Muhammadu Buhari had failed to tackle insecurity, in addition, that the government appeared helpless in finding solutions to poverty.
Dr. Baba-Ahmed said: “The Forum regrets that by any standard of judgment, the leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari has failed the nation in the vital area of improving its security. Poverty, particularly in the North, and massive social security has worsened under this administration. The relationship between insecurity and poverty is fundamental, but the administration does not appear to have any idea on what will provide relief or solution.
“It gives the Forum no pleasure to say that it had warned Nigerians that President Buhari lacked the will, the competence and commitment to lead it into a secure and prosperous future before the 2019 elections. It is shocking that in spite of unprecedented consensus among Nigerians that the administration requires a new resolve, approach and leadership in the fight against the nation’s multiple security challenges, President Buhari appears either totally isolated or in deep denial over the result of his failures to secure Nigerians.
For 2023, according to the convener of the Forum, Prof, Ango Abdullahi said, “The forum has observed that political maneuvres around the 2023 elections are targeting the North as a region available for exploitation.
“We want to make it clear that people of the North will be very careful in committing to persons seeking their support on the basis of their region or wealth.
“The North knows its interest and will stand together to elect only persons who meet the standards and interests of the people of the North.
“No politicians should assume they are entitled to our support unless they show a clear understanding and a commitment to deal with our problems and meet our aspirations.”
