ACF Rules Out 2027 Endorsements, Opts for Candidate Interviews on Northern Agenda

The apex northern socio-cultural organisation, the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), has announced that it will not endorse any presidential candidate or political party ahead of the 2027 general election. Instead, the forum says it will subject all interested presidential aspirants to a series of interviews aimed at evaluating their plans to address the critical challenges facing northern Nigeria.

Speaking in Kaduna during an interview with Leadership, the ACF National Publicity Secretary, Prof. T. A. Muhammad-Baba, explained that the decision aligns with the forum’s long-standing non-partisan posture. According to him, the ACF will begin engaging presidential hopefuls within the next six months to interrogate their proposals on key regional issues, including insecurity, poverty, education, and economic empowerment.

Muhammad-Baba noted that the process would follow a similar framework to what the forum adopted ahead of the 2023 general election, where presidential candidates were invited to interactive sessions to present and defend their policy ideas.

“We are not going to endorse any presidential candidate or political party in the 2027 elections,” he said. “Our organisation is diverse. We can only endorse plans and ideas that align with northern interests. We are not partisan.”

T Focuses on Ideas, Not Individuals

As part of its preparations, the ACF plans to develop a comprehensive position paper outlining the most pressing concerns and developmental priorities of northern Nigeria. Muhammad-Baba disclosed that this document would be formally presented to whoever eventually emerges as the winner of the 2027 presidential election, serving as a policy guide and a benchmark for accountability.

Reflecting on previous engagements, he recalled that during the 2023 elections, the forum extended invitations to all major presidential candidates for dialogue sessions. While some accepted, others chose not to participate.

“Peter Obi came; President Bola Ahmed Tinubu came. Atiku Abubakar did not come; Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso did not come,” he stated, underscoring the forum’s openness to all aspirants regardless of party affiliation.

Several political heavyweights have already been mentioned as possible contenders for the 2027 presidency. These include President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former Anambra State governor Peter Obi, former Rivers State governor Rotimi Amaechi, Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim, and Adewole Adebayo. Political party primaries are expected to take place around June 2026, while the presidential election itself is scheduled for the first Saturday in February 2027.

The ACF also clarified its historical position on endorsements. While it openly supported former President Muhammadu Buhari during the 2019 election, it refrained from endorsing any candidate in both the 2015 and 2023 presidential contests.

Former ACF Secretary-General, Anthony Sani, reinforced the forum’s stance, explaining that endorsements could undermine its internal cohesion. “The North is united on regional interests, but not on partisan politics,” Sani said. “Endorsing a candidate would fracture the unity of the forum.”

Similarly, the Chairman of the ACF Board of Trustees, Alhaji Bashir Dalhatu, emphasized that northern support would be issue-driven rather than personality-based. He said the region would only align with candidates who demonstrate a genuine commitment to protecting and advancing northern interests.

“Northern Nigeria will remain faithful not to politicians or parties, but to those willing to promote and protect its interests,” Dalhatu said.

According to the forum, all consultations with aspirants, as well as the preparation of its position paper, are expected to be concluded before June 2026, setting the tone for issue-based engagement ahead of the 2027 polls.