The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has urged public office holders and elected government functionaries to shun ostentatious lifestyles and manage public resources to alleviate the current economic hardship in the country.
In a statement on Wednesday in Kaduna, Tukkur Muhammad-Baba, spokesperson of the forum, said these negative virtues by public official largely contributed to the recent nationwide protest against hunger and bad governance by ordinary Nigerians.
He said Nigerians are living in terrible condition, stressing that it be a grave mistake to ignore the condition of things.
“The existential conditions of citizens, ostensibly, the rationale behind the protests are dire and need urgent attention; and it will be a grave mistake to ignore this.
“Far too many citizens lack education, access to health facilities, economic opportunities and basic necessities to live comfortable orbearable lives. “Confounding the dire living conditions has been the challenges of insecurity in the country”.
The forum urged President Bola Tinubu, to immediately commence the process of engaging Nigerians on the state of the nation as he promised in his last broadcast.
The statement added that, “Such consultations ought to be well-organised and purpose-driven to include representatives of the people, community-based organisations, interest groups, professional and trade associations; regional interests groups, religious clergy…”
It called for “robust and dynamic engagement between citizens and government, including representatives of the people, on the direction of public policies.”
The forum called for “the entrenchment of the principles of accountability and good governance by government at all levels;
“The entrenchment of the principles of accountability and good governance by government at all levels;
“The reinvigorated and robust anti-corruption drive by local, state and federal governments”.
It commended the Russian embassy in Nigeria for dissociating the country from involvement in the protests.
The forum condemned the looting and destruction of property during the protest, especially in the north.
It also commiserated with those who loss their love ones.
John Shiklam
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