Politics

2023 presidency: We’ve been and remain kingmakers — Northern Elders

Published

4 years ago

January 16, 2022

Dr. Hakeem Baba-Ahmed

The Northern Elders Forum has said that the North will be a strong factor in determining who emerges as Nigeria’s president in 2023.

The position of the NEF was contained in a speech by its Director, Publicity and Advocacy, Dr. Hakeem Baba-Ahmed.

In the speech read on Saturday during the meeting of the Northern Leaders of Thought at the Arewa House in Kaduna, Baba-Ahmed said the North had always had a say in who becomes the leader of the country.

In the speech, titled: “Rebuilding the North,” he said: “May I start by expressing my profound appreciation for the privilege of delivering this Keynote Address on a date and a venue that have major historical significance for the North and Nigeria. This honour is all the more humbling given the significance of our present surroundings as well as the current state of the North and the country as a whole. This is also a rare event. Although groups and associations have raised voices on insecurity, poverty and the damaging decline of the economy of the North and the setbacks in relations between communities that make up Nigeria, many Northern elders and leaders with personal integrity and other qualities who should stand up to be counted have largely retreated into the discomfort of silence.

“Younger Northerners are angry, frustrated and alienated, with virtually no linkages with elders and leaders, unless they are hired thugs in the service of politicians. Many others are criminals, bandits, informers or kidnappers exploiting the weaknesses of the State, or at margins of hopelessness in a country that they believe promises a lot and delivers nothing. This meeting appears to have been designed to commence the building of bridges that should link generations of Northerners around a vision which gives hope and heals a region lacking a single excuse for its many wounds.”

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“The effort of the organizers of this meeting, specifically to bring together prominent, elderly and future leaders of the North is particularly commendable. In this room, and in these surroundings, there is the history of people who took over the responsibility to steer the North through the challenging waters of decolonization and finding for it a fitting place in the new Nigeria. Most of them were in their 30s and 40s, but they understood their historic opportunities; the values they were prepared and groomed to defend, and the challenges which they were to face.

“Their team leader, Sir Ahmadu Bello, fell to bullets from cowardly murderers in these very premises. The people who killed him simultaneously launched Nigeria into a different and negative trajectory from which it has not recovered. Today, we can speak as three or four generations of Northerners who have seen the best and now live in the worst of the North. We can lament the loss of great opportunities, but we will also support each other to find the strengths and the courage to ask the right questions and find the right answers.

“We should use this day, at this venue full of history, to signal a turning – point in our circumstances as a people and bring an end to lamentations. We have wasted enough lives, blood, energy and resources drifting and blaming leaders who have reaped hugely from our misfortunes and self-inflicted injuries. It is enough.

“We have no one else to cry to; no one to look up to, to lead us out of terror and poverty and no one willing to use their positions to turn the fortunes of the North around. Our fate will only be designed and determined by us. We may be facing unprecedented challenges, but these are times to prepare to find extraordinary strengths and assets so that our children will be rid of the current nightmares which are our lives today.”

“We do have massive sources of energy and muscle to bring real change to our circumstances. We have the anger of people whose lives have been taken over by armed criminals who know we are basically undefended against them. We have limits on how much we can run away from bullets, rapists and kidnappers, and we are reaching those limits.

“We have memories of a period when life had values; when religious faith meant you tolerate, and not kill those who worship differently from you; when leaders feared God and had respect for the people they led; when being a Northerner meant honesty and hard work, and not a disposable threat; when our young where taught values that prepared them to fear God, respect authority and stand up to bullies and those who were intolerant of our basic identities and values.

“Anger is not the best fuel for change, but in our case today, it is the most potent. If used constructively and responsibly, it can create an environment that will remove its sources and its manifestations. Unfortunately for the North, it is also the only fuel source we have. We have voted people into power who have either turned their backs at us or have usurped the very sources of their power and turned them into personal assets.

“We have a democratic system that progressively benefits only a handful of leaders and politicians, and leaves millions of our people to wonder how it could be the best option available to terrorized, poor people. We have decaying value systems that breed evils such as corrupt leaders, armed criminals and drug pandemics, and encourage cheating and corruption as the only means of getting what we need. We have a huge population that is sinking into poverty and desperation in a harsh and unforgiving world.

“Every indicator suggests that things will get considerably worse in the near future. The cost of living will rise and compound the wretchedness of the poor. Armed criminality will continue to determine how we live and die, even if it could be defeated at some future date. Our political process will feed widespread violence as political competition pumps up every one of our demons to escort individual political ambitions. Our current leaders will continue to recede into their own world, mumbling incomprehensible fiction while they wait out their terms.

“The North faces two distinct choices: atrophy and destruction, or recovery and growth. The first is already visible and in the process; the second is a difficult, yet achievable goal. The most vital requirement that will make the difference between the two is a critical and honest self-evaluation. The North has to understand how cultured, hardworking and intelligent people cannot produce good leaders who can build a strong economy from its huge potential.

“How did corruption assume such magnitude among our communities that even the democratic system and our home-grown social and political structures and strong social values are now securely its hostage, consigning every segment of social life to insignificance unless it is linked to plundered wealth and stolen power? Why is its massive population a liability and not an asset, coming to life only during elections when it is needed to reinforce a shrinking democratic system, and relapsing into drudgery and scrapping an existence thereafter?

“Who and what was responsible for the virtual de-industrialization of the entire Northern region, creating patches of possibly the poorest of humanity within it, and destroying an economy that had shown an impressive potential to grow into the economic powerhouse of the nation and West Africa’s breadbasket?

“How did the North lose its tenuous hold on managing its cultural and religious diversity, setting into motion raptures that leave every community worse off, and creating enemies out of even unborn neighbours? What created the Boko Haram insurgency, and what explains its resilience and the ineffectiveness of our security assets to eliminate it? What turned some Fulani herders long used to hardship and frictions into the monsters that they are today?

“How did the Fulani, famous for learning and administration and living with huge assets with the most minimal demands on resources of the State, become identified by its lowest denominator, the Fulani bandit and kidnapper?

“Who can explain the dramatic deterioration of the most intimate of relations between Hausa and Fulani, and the rising demonization of Fulani among communities with which they are barely distinguishable, or have lived for decades or centuries?

“How did the Northerner become the villain of the rest of the nation, the source of all its recent ills and liabilities, in a country he helped build and sustain with lives, limbs, blood and labour? Above all, does the North have the capacity to re-engineer its reconstruction and sustained development?

“The North does not have the luxury of finding answers to these puzzles while the nation moves on and its problems worsen. Its only choice is to target the major source of its multiple challenges and attempt to deal with it. This, in my view, lies in the quality of its leaders and those that will lead the nation. The North needs a major shift in its elite selection processes, which will allow it to put into power, competent, honest and visionary leaders at all levels.

“What this means is that the overwhelming majority of politicians warming up in our major parties to take over and continue business as usual should be roundly rejected, and others who will not have to buy or steal power because they have credibility and evidence of some integrity will be voted in by voters who will resist the temptation to sell votes for less than a meal. The imperative of affecting major changes in the quality of leadership starting from the 2023 elections is beyond question. This is why the North should support major amendments of the electoral process, and improvements in the capacities of INEC to reduce rigging and vote-buying and violence.

“For most of what the North needs to do, the centre is important. The successful campaign to defeat the damaging narrative that no Northerner should aspire to contest for the Presidency of Nigeria is a credit to committed democrats and those who believe in justice, equity and fairness. It is important to emphasise, however, that this was not a campaign that sought to bestow any favours on the North and shortchange the rest of Nigeria.

“It was essentially meant to avoid restricting the political space, as well as the danger of the emergence of a President who bears all the hallmarks of limiting identities and the stamp of a victory of the part over the whole. Now that a level playing field is being taken up by politicians from all parts of the country, it is equally important to remind ourselves that democracy is essentially about the freedom to choose leaders, and all Nigerians should be free to choose any contestant from any part of the country they want.

“For the North, we cannot say it louder. A Northerner should be voted President only if he is the best. Being Northerner is not enough. All Nigerians need good leaders, but for us in the North, we will demand to see evidence that a candidate does not just want the power to fulfil a personal ambition. We want to see evidence that those who want to lead us in future understand the roots of and solutions to our insecurity and poverty and distances from each other.

“We want to know how irredentism will be handled; how and when major changes in our structures and systems will be made to address popular grievances over the way our country should operate; how our economy can be re-engineered to achieve sustainable development and work for the rich and the poor equally, and how our young will be groomed to become productive, honest and patriotic citizens. We will demand to see an inclusive and competent team that will campaign with the candidate and transit with him into governance. We want a thoroughly Nigerian President who will be as hard on the bandit as he will be on secessionists and insurgents. We want a President with vision and the energy to retrieve a country on the verge of collapse and place it securely on the path of stability, security and growth.

“We are, of course, some distance from next year’s elections, but it will be dangerous to ignore signs that the journey from this point until those elections could place the country in greater danger. We should warn politicians to avoid destroying a country they seek to lead. We must demand that the fight against organized, violent crimes is intensified. We need to improve elite cohesion even in the context of intensely-divisive electoral campaigns. Our leaders should avoid the temptations to roll out policies that will raise levels of desperation among the poor. Activities such as the planned population census which have enough sensitivity and potential to generate massive controversy a few months before the elections should be postponed.

“Key reforms to the constitution and the electoral process should be implemented to improve the quality of elections and signal a commitment to address limitations to our federal structures. Our leaders should raise their levels of empathy for the plight of poor and desperate citizens. To ignore the circumstances which create hundreds or even millions of internally-displaced persons and leave the next administration to handle it will be the height of irresponsibility. Huge resources must be deployed to improve the capacity of our defence and security assets and provide relief to fellow Nigerians or pauperized by criminals.

“Millions of Northerners are justifiably angry and frustrated that they are worse off today than they were before 2015 when they voted for an administration that promised to improve and secure lives. Many think voting for another set of leaders will add no value to their lives. We say turn your anger into an asset by voting in better people into office this time. There are politicians that will continue where the present administration stopped, and, while angry citizens refuse to vote, they will buy votes and get power. So, the most important thing a Northerner will do for himself and the community is to register and vote in 2023. Do not exchange your votes for another four or eight years in a country where your dignity and your life have little value.

“Distinguished participants, please look around these premises, and you will draw inspiration from strong, purposeful leadership, not just of the Sardauna, but the team he was a part of. From Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, Sir Kashim Ibrahim, Aliyu Makaman Nupe, Turaki Ali, Sunday Awoniyi, Ali Akilu and dozens of Northerners who reflected the true diversity of the North and shared a common vision and purpose, there was a North which knew its place in Nigeria and gave all it took to defend it.

“That North is still available to be recreated, but it needs to recognise the place of good leaders, hardworking and honest citizenry, a diversity that demands the highest standards of justice to manage, and a strong sense of destiny as a strong community for all who are part of it. In this hallowed hall, there is powerful history and a great potential to re-invent a region that will be great again. Please make that potential reality, and God in His infinite mercy will help us all.”

Eagle

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Politics

No Election Is Perfect Anywhere – Fashola Tells Opposition to Accept Results

Published

10 hours ago

June 12, 2026

Trends Admin

Former Lagos State Governor and ex-Minister of Works, Housing and Power, Babatunde Fashola

No Election Is Perfect Anywhere – Fashola Tells Opposition to Accept Results

LAGOS – Former Lagos State Governor and ex-Minister of Works, Housing and Power, Babatunde Fashola, has declared that elections are inherently imperfect exercises, urging Nigerian opposition politicians to stop faulting outcomes and instead accept results while embracing their democratic role.

Speaking on Friday at The Platform, a public policy forum organised by the Covenant Christian Centre and led by Pastor Poju Oyemade as part of activities marking Democracy Day, Fashola laid bare the logistical scale of Nigerian elections to explain why absolute perfection remains unattainable.

According to the former minister, Nigeria conducts presidential elections across more than 176,000 polling units simultaneously, with officials and voters expected to perform identical tasks under vastly different conditions. This reality, he argued, makes flawless elections a practical impossibility anywhere in the world.

“Elections are an imperfect event because they require a large logistical operation across a federation,” Fashola told the audience.

He then challenged his listeners directly, posing a fundamental question about democratic conduct: “Do we agree as a people that elections are an imperfect event all over the world? They are never perfect because it is a large and challenging logistic undertaking. So, perfection is aspirational.”

Explaining the inherent difficulties of nationwide polls, Fashola noted that the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) cannot be present at every polling unit to supervise or verify procedures. He asked pointedly: “And so, with imperfections, are we agreed that we should accept the results? Or are we agreed that it must be INEC’s fault? Even when the INEC chairman cannot be in all of those 176,000 polling stations.”

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The former governor argued that electoral imperfections are not unique to Nigeria. He noted that even long-established democracies acknowledge such challenges while continually seeking ways to improve their electoral systems rather than undermining public confidence in democratic outcomes.

“In other jurisdictions, they recognise the imperfections, they aspire to improve, but they accept the results. They move peacefully and calmly to take up the position of opposition,” Fashola stated.

He expressed concern over what he described as a growing reluctance among some political actors to accept electoral defeat, warning that such attitudes weaken democratic development and prevent unsuccessful candidates and parties from playing constructive opposition roles.

“It seems to me that an unwillingness to accept the outcome of an election perhaps blinds the unsuccessful participants from seeking and taking up the role of opposition for the development of society,” he said.

Fashola emphasised that opposition politics plays a critical role in democratic governance and should not be viewed solely through the lens of electoral victory or defeat. He declared that “the role of opposition is as important, if not more important, than the role of those in government.”

Reflecting on the significance of June 12 as Democracy Day, Fashola recalled the annulment of the June 12, 1993 presidential election, describing it as a turning point in Nigeria’s democratic journey.

“This should have been an ordinary day, just another ordinary day. We had gone to vote and we had expected while we were monitoring the results that the votes would be counted. Then the abnormal happened. The votes were stopped, the elections were subsequently annulled and June 12 became not just a date anymore, it became an event, a cause and a movement, an agitation that took local, international and global centre stage,” he said.

The former minister stressed that democracy extends far beyond the conduct of elections. He urged citizens and political leaders to engage in deeper conversations about the kind of democratic culture Nigeria seeks to build.

“If we are to discuss democracy beyond elections, the question I ask is: What kind of democracy do we want? ” he asked.

Fashola also called for national consensus on critical governance issues such as taxation, foreign policy, parliamentary oversight, healthcare, education funding, labour relations and political party accountability. On taxation, he questioned whether political parties had clearly articulated their positions during recent debates on fiscal reforms.

“Can you truly have a representative government, a democratic government, without a debate about taxation? That is the basis of representation,” he said.

Addressing the broader function of consensus in democracy, Fashola noted that agreement across party lines does not weaken opposition politics. “Consensus does not disable opposition. On the contrary, it sharpens the alternative that they represent,” he stated.

The former minister further challenged Nigerians to reflect on the country’s identity, asking whether Nigeria should be regarded primarily as a nation or merely a country. “Are we a nation or are we a country? We use those words somewhat interchangeably, but they mean different things,” he said.

In a separate disclosure during a panel discussion at the same event, Fashola revealed that he did not receive security votes at any point during his eight years as governor of Lagos State. He explained that all funds belonging to the state government during his administration were managed through established institutional channels rather than being placed under the direct control of the governor, with revenues domiciled within the state’s Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning.

Fashola maintained that while elections remain a vital component of democracy, the true test of democratic maturity lies in the ability of institutions, political actors and citizens to uphold democratic values even after the ballots have been counted.

His remarks formed part of broader discussions at The Platform on the state of Nigeria’s democracy, governance, accountability and the responsibilities of citizens and political leaders in sustaining democratic institutions. The event was held at the Covenant Christian Centre in Lagos as part of activities marking the June 12, 2026 Democracy Day celebration.

No Election Is Perfect Anywhere – Fashola Tells Opposition to Accept Results

Politics

Aisha Yesufu Slams Dickson Over Comments on Peter Obi, NDC Leadership

Published

1 day ago

June 11, 2026

Trends Admin

Aisha Yesufu Slams Dickson Over Comments on Peter Obi, NDC Leadership

Popular activist and member of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Aisha Yesufu, has criticised the party’s national leader, Senator Seriake Dickson, accusing him of displaying political insecurity and behaving as though he was in competition with the party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi.

Yesufu made the remarks in a post on X (formerly Twitter) on Thursday, reacting to Dickson’s interview on ARISE News, where he defended the NDC leadership and responded to criticism that followed the party’s recent primaries.

She said parts of the interview were “painfully appalling,” arguing that Dickson missed an opportunity to unite the party and reassure members ahead of the 2027 general elections.

According to her, the interview should have focused on strengthening the party and promoting its candidates rather than highlighting internal disagreements.

“This part of the interview was so painfully appalling to watch. It looked as if you were insecure and in competition with your presidential candidate,” she wrote.

Yesufu argued that as a party leader, Dickson’s primary responsibility should be to calm tensions and build confidence among members, especially after a heated primary process.

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She added that his comments instead risked deepening divisions and sending the wrong message to supporters and aspirants.

The activist also rejected Dickson’s suggestion that some party members may have violated internal rules due to their popularity, insisting she followed due process during the primaries.

She maintained that she complied with party guidelines, even when uncertainty surrounded the conduct of certain primaries, including Senate contests, which she said were later addressed through internal adjustments.

Yesufu further disclosed that she had engaged supporters in parts of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to ease tensions after disagreements over the primaries.

She accused Dickson of treating the NDC as a platform that had already achieved its purpose upon registration, rather than a political movement focused on winning elections.

“With all due respect, sir, it looks as if you consider the NDC a special purpose vehicle whose aim has been achieved just by being registered instead of a political party whose aim is to win the 2027 general election decisively,” she said.

Yesufu stressed that political leadership requires humility and the ability to manage grievances, noting that unity remains critical for electoral success.

She said leaders must prioritise persuasion and reconciliation, especially in moments of internal disagreement, warning that alienating supporters could weaken the party’s chances in 2027.

“As a leader of a political party, your number one job… was to pacify aspirants… but you ended up antagonising the very people you would need to win an election. Every vote counts!” she said.

Yesufu also emphasised that the focus of political actors should remain on addressing Nigeria’s challenges rather than internal ego battles.

“There is a whole battle ahead of us. Rescuing Nigeria from the current state it is in should be the main focus, not people’s fragile ego,” she added.

Meanwhile, Dickson had earlier defended the NDC leadership, insisting the party remained united despite disagreements that emerged after the primaries and dismissing what he described as counterproductive attacks from some Obi supporters.

Aisha Yesufu Slams Dickson Over Comments on Peter Obi, NDC Leadership

Politics

Dickson Fires Back at Obi, Kwankwaso Supporters: ‘Stop Running Down NDC

Published

2 days ago

June 11, 2026

Trends Admin

National Leader of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) , Senator Seriake Dickson

Dickson Fires Back at Obi, Kwankwaso Supporters: ‘Stop Running Down NDC

The National Leader of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) , Senator Seriake Dickson, has issued a stern warning to overzealous supporters of the party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and his running mate, Rabiu Kwankwaso, cautioning them against disparaging and running down the political platform that carries their aspirations ahead of the 2027 general election.

Speaking on Arise TV’s Prime Time programme, the former Bayelsa State governor dismissed rumours of an internal crisis, firmly asserting that the political party is doing the candidates a favour by granting them a platform, rather than the other way around.

In his address to the candidates’ followers, Dickson emphasised the foundational sacrifices made by the party’s leadership long before the prominent political heavyweights defected to the fold. “Peter Obi is a cherished member of our party. On our own, we have made him sole presidential candidate, and that counts for something. None of them was part of the formation when we were registering this party; they were not there. They didn’t pay one naira, no presidential candidate paid ‘shishi’,” Dickson stated.

He reminded critics that neither Obi nor Kwankwaso was part of the initial formation or registration process of the party, noting that they did not contribute financially to its establishment. “You have to grant NDC some credit. Stop making it look like anyone is doing NDC a favour. No one is. Rather, the NDC and my colleagues are doing them [candidates] a favour by granting them our platform,” he said.

The Senator expressed frustration that supporters are attempting to portray the candidates as doing the NDC a favour, arguing that followers cannot claim to support the candidate while simultaneously insulting the leader of the host platform. “You cannot be supporting Peter Obi, if you are genuinely supporting him, and you are disparaging me, the leader, or the platform itself. That is nonsensical,” Dickson warned.

Dickson further argued that the growing belief that the NDC was benefiting from Obi’s popularity was inaccurate, insisting that the party was instead extending an opportunity to the former Labour Party presidential candidate. “Now, NDC is the vehicle that will take Peter Obi and Kwankwaso to the Villa. So if they understand the processes, even if there’s no gratitude to those who set up the NDC and offered it, they should know that they are hurting themselves if they run down the platform,” he warned.

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In a notable remark during the interview, Dickson declared that he possesses stronger credentials to contest for Nigeria’s highest office than Obi and Kwankwaso, although he said he deliberately decided against pursuing the presidency. “There is no one more qualified than me to run for the presidency. And for some reasons, I did not want to,” Dickson said. He noted that several prominent politicians had approached the NDC before Obi joined the party, including Senator Aishatu Binani from Adamawa State and others from across the country.

Dickson flatly denied allegations that the NDC sold nomination tickets to the highest bidders, describing such claims as unfounded. “The NDC doesn’t sell nomination tickets to people. What we have done, because we are a self-funding party, is to have aspirants make contributions and donations to the party account, and it applies to all categories of aspirants including the presidential aspirants,” Dickson explained. He added that a presidential aspirant is required to make a donation to the presidential campaign account, not to any individual, stressing: “We gave our platform to them [aspirants] without discussing money.”

Addressing concerns over donations, the NDC National Publicity Secretary, Osa Director, denied that there was any rift within the party. He said donations by party members were voluntary and neither compulsory nor fixed, explaining that all donations are paid directly into official party accounts to ensure accountability and transparency.

Turning to broader electoral issues, Senator Dickson criticized the National Assembly’s interference in party administration, arguing that lawmakers have no business mandating direct primaries for political parties. He insisted that the choice of the mode of primary elections should be left entirely to the discretion of individual parties, highlighting that direct primaries often lead to chaotic situations where factions generate parallel and unverified results from unmonitored crowds.

Meanwhile, fresh internal tensions have emerged within the NDC in Kano State, with senior party officials accusing Kwankwaso of attempting to dominate the party’s structure and sideline other stakeholders. According to a petition reportedly submitted to Dickson by the North-West Vice Chairman of the party, Mohammed Serina, and the Kano State Chairman, Hussaini Mariga, a reconciliation meeting convened by the national leadership had earlier agreed that Kwankwaso and members of the Kwankwasiyya Movement would control 60 per cent of the party structure in Kano, while the remaining 40 per cent would be retained by other stakeholders. However, the Kwankwasiyya Movement rejected the allegations, describing them as false and misleading.

The controversy over nominations gained additional momentum following allegations made by Nollywood actor and lawyer Kenneth Okonkwo, who served as one of the official spokespersons for the Peter Obi/Yusuf Datti Presidential Campaign Council during the 2023 elections. Okonkwo recently released what he described as documentary evidence in support of allegations that aspirants were pressured to make payments during the party’s primary elections. In response, Peter Obi has threatened legal action against Okonkwo over the allegations, with a letter by Obi’s legal counsel dated June 9, 2026, describing Okonkwo’s allegations as fabricated and damaging.

The NDC officially endorsed former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi as its presidential flagbearer for the 2027 general election at a special national convention in Abuja on May 30, 2026. Shortly after accepting the nomination, Obi announced former Kano State Governor, Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso, as his running mate, describing Kwankwaso as a trusted partner who would play a central role in governance rather than serve as a ceremonial deputy.

In his acceptance speech, Obi identified security, national unity, power supply, healthcare, education, youth empowerment and job creation as key priorities of his administration if elected. He also pledged to reduce the cost of governance and ensure prudent management of public resources. Obi further promised that the vice president under his administration would play a meaningful role in governance. “I will make democracy work, and the Vice President will be a partner, not a spare tyre,” Obi stated.

The NDC leader expressed confidence that the party would remain a formidable platform ahead of the 2027 elections, arguing that growing public frustration over insecurity, economic hardship and governance challenges has created a strong appetite for political change. “The issues before Nigerians are too serious for us to be distracted by unnecessary divisions. Our focus must remain on insecurity, the economy, unemployment and the future of our country,” Dickson said. He urged supporters to channel their energy towards mobilising voters and promoting the party’s message rather than engaging in internal attacks, maintaining that the NDC leadership remains intact and united.