The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has urged Nigerians to vote responsibly in the 2027 general elections, saying citizens should base their choices on individual assessment of candidates and issues rather than directives from political parties
The Chairman of the ACF, Mamman Mike Osuman, SAN, made the call in his Independence Day message to Nigerians as the country marks its 66th Independence Anniversary
Osuman said every eligible Nigerian should obtain and secure their Permanent Voter’s Card (PVC) and participate actively in the electoral process
He, however, cautioned voters against allowing political parties to dictate their choices, stressing that voting should be based on individual analysis, conscience and judgment
“The vote of every citizen is a personal expression of choice and a constitutional instrument for determining who should be entrusted with public responsibility,” he said
The ACF chairman also warned politicians and their supporters, particularly youths, against violence before, during and after elections
He urged citizens to avoid trouble-prone locations, gatherings and incidents, stressing that no political contest was worth the loss of human life
“No political contest is worth the loss of a human life,” Osuman said, while calling for the rejection of violence, inflammatory rhetoric, provocation and destruction of lives and property
He also expressed concern over the challenges confronting Nigerians, including insecurity, displacement, economic hardship, poverty and natural disasters, saying the problems had disrupted economic activities, closed schools, separated families and destroyed livelihoods
According to him, some of the difficulties are either perpetrated or aggravated by individuals entrusted with leadership and governance, stressing that public authority should be regarded as a sacred trust exercised for the common good
Osuman called for introspection among Nigerians, particularly people of the northern region, urging them to examine whether divisions along ethnic, religious, political and personal-interest lines were undermining collective development
He said the strength of society depended not only on its population and resources but also on unity, shared values, justice and commitment to the common good
“The North must therefore continually remind itself that our diversity should be a source of strength and not a justification for division,” he said
The ACF chairman further charged parents, elders and teachers to provide moral and ethical guidance to young Nigerians, saying values such as honesty, discipline, hard work, tolerance, patriotism, peaceful coexistence and respect for the rule of law must be inculcated in the younger generation