The Arewa Youth Consultative Forum (AYCF) has disowned a statement circulating in the media that claimed the group expressed support for the Chief of Staff to the President, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, amid the controversy surrounding the alleged Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC).
In a statement released by the Forum’s President General, Alhaji Yerima Shettima, the organization clarified that it had not taken any official position on the matter and described the publication as misleading and unauthorized.
Shettima said the report falsely suggested that the AYCF had publicly defended Gbajabiamila over the allegations linked to the PFIPC, stressing that no such declaration came from the Forum’s recognized leadership.
He stated that the organization operates with caution on issues of national significance and does not issue public statements without extensive consultations and a careful examination of available facts.
According to him, the AYCF is still following developments surrounding the controversy and will only communicate its official position after its leadership has completed the necessary consultations and reached an informed decision.
The AYCF leader reaffirmed the organization’s continued support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration and its Renewed Hope Agenda. However, he emphasized that backing the government does not mean the Forum automatically endorses every issue or action involving public officials.
He noted that the Forum remains committed to promoting transparency, accountability, good governance and national development, while also insisting that justice, fairness and due process must always guide matters affecting the public.
The organization also criticized the unauthorized use of its identity, describing the incident as an attempt to deceive Nigerians and damage the credibility it has built over the years through responsible advocacy.
Shettima disclosed that the Forum had launched an internal investigation to identify those responsible for issuing the alleged statement, uncover their intentions and determine whether others were involved in falsely linking the AYCF to the controversy.
He further revealed that the Forum would officially engage the media outlet that published the report to establish how the purported statement was obtained and why it was attributed to the AYCF without confirmation from its duly recognized leadership.
The AYCF assured Nigerians that it would continue to uphold the principles of integrity, patriotism and responsible leadership in all its activities. It also advised members of the public to disregard the disputed publication and rely only on statements issued through the Forum’s verified communication channels.
Reiterating its dedication to the country’s unity and progress, the Forum pledged to remain focused on initiatives that promote peace, stability and sustainable national development. It added that any official position on matters of public interest would always be based on facts, broad consultations and the collective decision of its leadership rather than speculation or unauthorized publications.
