By Nefishetu Yakubu
A former Social Democratic Party (SDP) presidential candidate, Prince Adewole Adebayo, has urged northern leaders to spearhead efforts to rebuild trust in governance and strengthen national unity.
Adebayo made the call in a statement on Wednesday after visiting Alhaji Bashir Dalhatu, the Board of Trustees Chairman of Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) in Abuja.
He described the ACF as “a premier institution in Northern Nigeria,” commending Dalhatu for his decades of national service and role in resolving key national challenges.
“My visit is not politically motivated, but to foster national dialogue and collective reflection before partisanship takes over,” Adebayo said.
He identified three priorities for national renewal: the North’s leadership role in unity, ending episodic governance and empowering a new generation to rebuild accountability of institutions.
“The journey to nationhood started in 1914. There is no reverse gear in the vehicle of Nigeria. We began with one North, one people, one destiny,” he said.
He lamented that politics had become divisive.
“Today, politics makes it seem every man is for himself. The ACF must use its moral authority to restore balance,” he said.
Adebayo criticised the erosion of long-term planning and neglect of national projects, saying political energy was now spent on wrong priorities.
“The real issues; infrastructure, jobs and education are being ignored. Leaders must prioritise service delivery and accountability,” he said.
He decried rising religious and ethnic politics.
“In the past, you could not claim to be a Christian or Muslim leader in the North. Now faith even determines value for life,” he said.
Adebayo urged youths to embrace inclusiveness and competence.
“Our politics must leave no one behind. It should be based on performance, not origin,” he said.
Responding, Dalhatu described Adebayo’s visit as timely and commendable.
“Your visit shows that in spite political differences, national interest can still come first,” he said.
He reaffirmed the ACF’s commitment to unity and good governance.
“We are not partisan but deeply interested in security, inclusion and development,” Dalhatu said.
“Whenever the country faces difficulty, the North feels the impact most. We must act with sincerity and vision to heal divisions,” he said.
“Our biggest challenge is trust; between government and citizens, North and South and among ethnic and religious groups,” he added.
Dalhatu said that the ACF would continue serving as a moral compass.
“For 25 years, we have promoted unity and dialogue. We may not have power, but we have influence,” he said.
He added that the forum’s 25th anniversary, scheduled for Kaduna in two weeks, would assess the North’s role in promoting stability and national development. (NAN)
Edited by Francis Onyeukwu
