ACF urges Nigeria to prioritise security over 2027 elections

The Arewa Consultative Forum has urged Nigeria’s Federal Government and political officeholders to put security ahead of preparations for the 2027 elections, saying electioneering should give way to action against violence and abductions. In a statement issued on Thursday, the forum said attacks by armed groups were threatening communities and livelihoods. It accused political leaders of focusing on the coming elections while citizens faced continuing insecurity. The claims about government inaction and the scale of attacks were made by the ACF and were not independently established in the supplied reports. The forum said five attacks took place in Zamfara State on one day recently, resulting in deaths, abductions and property losses. It also cited violence and kidnappings in several other states, including Plateau, Taraba, Benue, Niger, Katsina and Kogi, and raised concern about abductions and ransom demands in Chikun Local Government Area and areas around Kaduna metropolis. The ACF further said prospective National Youth Service Corps members travelling to an orientation camp in Imo State had been abducted and remained in captivity when it issued its statement.