Bashir Dalhatu, the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Arewa Consultative Forum, ACF, has stated that the region would not mind a review of Nigeria’s constitution and restructuring.
However, he was of the opinion that the North would not allow anything that could subjugate it or rob it of its due privileges.
Addressing a meeting of the Board of Trustees and other northern leaders in Kaduna on Wednesday, Dalhatu stated: “We are not afraid of change. We are ready to consider proposals that promote our legitimate interests. But we will not be dictated to. We will not be marginalised
“Going by the pronouncements and actions of some officials of the Federal Government, especially given recent pressures coming from some self-serving groups, the presidency may not be averse to making a similar attempt at an unnecessary constitution review before the end of their tenure.
“Whether or not the Federal Government sponsors one or more exercises at constitutional review, it is necessary to dispel the impression that the North is shy, or is averse to or afraid of any review of the Nigerian Constitution. Nothing can be further from the truth.”
However, appealing to leaders of the north to come together and save the region, the ACF BIT chairman argued that they needed to collaborate and confront the challenges threatening the North.
“We are here today because our region is facing unprecedented challenges. Insecurity, poverty, environmental degradation, corruption, and the undermining of traditional institutions are threatening our very existence,” Dalhatu said.