Former minister of agriculture and national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Audu Ogbe, has bowed out as the national chairman of the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF).
The group named the former president of Nigerian Institute of Architects (NIA), Gabriel Yakubu Aduku as its new helmsman.
The change of guard in ACF was announced to journalists yesterday after its National Executive Council (NEC), meeting at the forum’s secretariat in Kaduna.
The secretary of ACF leadership selection committee, Malam Bukar Zarma said, “The National Executive Council of ACF approved the appointment of Architect Gabriel Yakubu Aduku as the new chairman of the forum.
“He takes over from Ogbe whose tenure has expired. Also, the appointment of Alhaji Murtala Aliyu the secretary-general of ACF was renewed for the second term of three years.
“It should be noted that the 21 members of the National Working Committee (NWC) of ACF were also dissolved following the expiration of their tenure and a new committee is being considered and will be released soon.
“At its meeting held on Tuesday 16th May, 2023, the ACF leadership selection committee considered proposals of candidates for the various offices in the National Executive Council.
After much deliberations the committee agreed as follows; chairman of NEC, Architect Gabriel Yakubu Aduku, Alhaji Murtala Aliyu as the secretary. Other officials will be nominated by the zonal caucus and presented to NEC at its next meeting”.
Earlier in his welcome remarks, Ogbe said he will continue to be a member of the forum and urged members to extend the same cooperation he enjoyed as chairman.
He asked members and northerners at large to be involved in commerce and industry, saying that the north is an agricultural area and should not only be seen as a region with only political strength.
He said, “We must be involved in commerce and industry, let’s not wait for the government alone, let us develop ourselves. We have serious needs for financial and educational improvement in the north.”
