Northern Group demands party to protect region’s interest

By Musa Baba Adamu

The northern political elite under the aegis of the National Political Consultative Group (NPCG) North, has demanded the unveiling of a political platform that will protect northern interests ahead of the 2027 general election.

The political movement made the demand in a communique issued yesterday by its Chairman and former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal after its 2nd expanded meeting, on Sunday in Abuja.

The northern leaders expressed concern over the worsening insecurity that has aggravated poverty, loss of lives and property, unemployment and destitution in the entire North.

Babachir said the meeting of the northern elites was attended by prominent political leaders drawn from all the nineteen states and the FCT with the main focus of reviewing the challenges of insecurity in the North.

He noted that the keynote address was given by former Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami SAN, while goodwill messages were received by leaders from the South-South, South-East and South-West geo-political regions of the country, represented by Rotimi Amaechi, Peter Obi and Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola respectively.

The communique reads: “Delegates acknowledged that insecurity had reached unprecedented levels under the present administration, aggravating poverty, hunger, destitution and near collapse of education at the primary and secondary levels.

“Delegates agreed that the three major drivers of any society are fear, emotions and knowledge and resolved that the North must not allow itself be driven by fear nor emotions but by knowledge.

“Delegates resolved that the North must proceed with a united front in political choice going forward to ensure the region gets its maximum return in national political participation.

“It urged that the political platform on which the interest of the region will be pursued be unveiled urgently.

“That the region and indeed the nation needs selfless leaders both in the management of political parties as well as public sector governance.

The gathering also decried the impunity of elected leaders who run away with the people’s mandate by purporting to make decisions for their constituents without consultation.

It cited the recent developments in which elected state governors and legislators are usurping the power of the people by endorsing other persons and themselves for re-election to political offices without reference to their constituents, advising that constituents should sanction such elected officials to serve as deterrent.