The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has said 2025 Easter is being marked amid worsening economic, political and security challenges across the country, fuelled by corruption, selfish leadership, nepotism, and the provocative lifestyles of political elites.
In a statement issued Sunday by its National Publicity Secretary, Professor Tukur Muhammad Baba, the forum lamented that communities in Benue, Borno, FCT, Katsina, Kaduna, Niger, Plateau, Zamfara and others continue to suffer daily attacks, killings, destruction and displacement, which have also fractured inter-group relations.
The northern socio-cultural group called on Christians to use the occasion of Easter to pray for peace, security, and economic recovery, and for God to grant leaders the wisdom, compassion and patriotism to guide the country back to stability.
“ACF is not unaware that the 2025 Easter season is being celebrated amid continuing daunting existential socioeconomic, political and, most worryingly, security and criminality challenges,” the statement said.
It noted that corruption, nepotism, impunity, and political insensitivity had deepened the plight of Nigerians, especially in the North, while governance responses have been largely ineffective.
“Adding to the tragedy are monstrous corruption, selfishness of leaders, political insensitivity, inequities, impunity, lack of frugality, provocative and ostentatious lifestyles of political and other office holders,” it said.
The group also prayed for God to strengthen the country’s security forces to confront terrorism and insecurity, and to turn the hearts of those sponsoring or perpetrating violence away from their actions.
“Believing that a more peaceful, prosperous, and socially harmonious Arewa, and Nigeria, is still possible and plausible, ACF remains hopeful that our communities will emerge more resilient and stronger,” the statement added.