2027: North needs visionary leaders, not old Ambitions — CND

By Abubakar Yunusa

The Congress of Northern Democrats has said Northern Nigeria needs visionary and selfless leaders capable of addressing the region’s growing challenges, rather than what it described as recycled political ambitions ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The group said millions of Nigerians were currently battling hunger, insecurity, unemployment and worsening economic hardship, stressing that the opposition should focus on rebuilding public confidence instead of promoting endless personal ambitions.

In a statement issued on Thursday, the Chairman of the group, Musa Adamu, expressed disappointment over reports that former Vice President Atiku Abubakar may be preparing for another presidential contest.

According to him, the North is facing serious threats ranging from terrorism and banditry to poverty, collapsing agriculture and youth unemployment.

Adamu said, “What the North requires are courageous, visionary, and selfless leaders capable of building consensus, mentoring younger generations, and prioritising collective progress over personal political obsession.

“The North and Nigeria deserve leadership focused on solutions, not endless campaigns built around one man’s lifelong pursuit of power.”

The group lamented that despite worsening hardship across the country, opposition politics had continued to revolve around “elite ego battles and endless power calculations.”

“At a time when millions of Nigerians are crushed by hunger, insecurity, unemployment, inflation, and deepening economic despair, the opposition ought to be rallying around a coherent national rescue agenda,” Adamu stated.

He alleged that Atiku’s prolonged presidential ambition had weakened opposition unity over the years.

“Rather than serving as a bridge-builder capable of uniting aggrieved political blocs against a failing government, he has become a recurring source of division, distrust, and internal instability within the opposition space,” the statement added.

The CND further called on northern youths, civil society organisations, professionals and political stakeholders to reject personality-driven politics and support a new generation of leaders driven by competence, integrity and fresh ideas.

The group warned that a divided opposition would only strengthen the ruling All Progressives Congress while ordinary Nigerians continue to suffer economic hardship.