A wake-up call for Northern Nigeria
By Calvin Anadio Lawan.
For too long, the struggles of Northern Nigeria have been tied to one undeniable truth: the insecurity ravaging our region is deeply connected to the poverty our people have been reduced to, all thanks to failed leadership—political, business, traditional, and religious alike. It’s time we face the facts: we’ve been let down by those who were meant to guide us, and the consequences are dire.
The solution isn’t going to come from piecemeal efforts or empty promises. To truly address the issues facing Northern Nigeria, we need a comprehensive approach that cuts across all levels of society. This is where I believe the League of Northern Democrats (LND) can step in and fill the void of leadership we’ve been missing for so long.
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We’ve seen many sociopolitical groups rise in the North, but what do we have to show for it? Since the Arewa Consultative Forum was established in 2000 with the aim of promoting unity and development in the North, we’ve neither seen unity nor development. Instead, the North remains fragmented and underdeveloped.
A year later, in 2001, the Arewa Youth Consultative Forum emerged, supposedly advocating for the rights of Northern youth. But instead of meaningful change, the youth in the North have been relegated to roles as election thugs, ballot box snatchers, or worse, have turned to terrorism and banditry. The Northern Elders Forum, which came in 2010 with promises of addressing our regional development, has equally failed to make a tangible impact. The proverb about elders seeing farther has not held true for our region, as they too have come up short.
Look around: every negative statistic in Nigeria is more pronounced in the North. From insecurity to poverty, from out-of-school children to illiteracy, it feels like nothing good is happening in our region. Our leadership has been lackluster, almost disinterested in addressing these pressing issues.
But here’s the truth: we cannot afford to sit back any longer. I have great confidence in the League of Northern Democrats because those behind it have a track record of integrity. What’s more, LND has stayed clear of the religious and ethnic divisions that have plagued so many groups in our region.
To the leadership of LND, I urge you: don’t fall into the traps that have rendered other sociopolitical groups ineffective. Don’t engage in the theatrics that only offer temporary comfort without real solutions. Focus on tangible actions that will truly uplift our people.
This is a wake-up call for every Northern Nigerian. Our future depends on real leadership and active participation. It’s time to rise and demand better for ourselves and our children. Let’s not allow history to keep repeating itself. It’s time for us all to work towards a brighter, more prosperous Northern Nigeria.
Lawan, writes from Yola.
