President Bola Tinubu yesterday reaffirmed his administration’s resolve to defeat terrorist and bandits ravaging Northern Nigeria, declaring that no part of the country would be allowed “to bleed while the federal government watches.”
Speaking at the 25th anniversary celebration of the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) in Kaduna, Tinubu said the layers and sophistication of the security crisis he inherited were daunting, but stressed that his determination to end the menace remained firm and urgent.
The President was represented at the event by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Tajuddeen Abbas.
The President also pledged to reverse what he described as the prolonged economic decline of the North, expressing optimism that the region was on the verge of a major turnaround with the anticipated rollout of crude oil from the Kolmani fields and other emerging oil prospects across the North.
He noted that the region was facing one of the gravest tests in its history, describing the present condition as “a corrosion of security, a collapse of communal ethics and a distortion of the moral compass that once held its communities together.”
He warned that Nigeria could not prosper when a key part of its national structure was “paralysed,” stressing that the stability of the North was essential to the peace and progress of the entire federation.
Tinubu commended the ACF for serving as the conscience of the region for 25 years, describing it as a reservoir of patriots, thinkers, moral leaders and negotiators who have consistently defended the dignity and interests of millions across the North.
He recalled that the founding fathers of the ACF anticipated moments of national strain and deliberately built an institution strong enough to articulate the hopes and aspirations of the region.
According to him, the future success of the North would depend on the strength of its institutions rather than the influence of powerful individuals.
The President urged leaders to uphold selflessness and moral responsibility, cautioning that privilege must always come with accountability.
While insisting that the North had not failed, he warned that it could fail if its leaders abandoned their obligation to remain their brothers’ keepers.
Tinubu said failure begins “the day leaders sleep comfortably while millions sleep hungry or move in fear across short distances.”
He maintained that hope was not lost despite decades of dysfunction that had weakened communal bonds and deepened distrust.
According to him, the ethnic and religious diversity represented at the ACF anniversary signalled the region’s readiness to overcome division and rebuild unity.
He said rebuilding trust was fundamental, warning that “insecurity would persist, economic stagnation would deepen and educational deficits would widen if social harmony was not restored.”
The President described the proposed ACF Endowment Fund as a bold and visionary step toward securing the future of Northern Nigeria.
He said the fund’s focus on girl-child education, youth skills development, peacebuilding and conflict resolution aligned with the broader national development agenda.
Tinubu urged Northern leaders across government, traditional institutions and civil society to recommit themselves to the ideals that inspired the founding of the ACF 25 years ago, citing courage, justice, fairness and collective responsibility as the guiding principles.
He said unity remained the North’s strongest asset, stressing that “without it, security initiatives will falter, economic opportunities will diminish and the region’s political influence will weaken.
“With unity there is no challenge the region cannot overcome”, Tinubu stressed.
The President called on the ACF to continue serving as the moral compass of the region, expressing confidence that “the North has the capacity to reclaim its stability, rebuild its economy and remain a central pillar of Nigeria’s collective progress.”
Tinubu vows to crush terrorism, says no part of Nigeria will be left to bleed under his watch
