Northern Elite Must Drive Regional Change to Solve Nigeria’s Issues, Says Onaiyekan
Cardinal John Onaiyekan of the Catholic Archdiocese of Abuja has urged northern Nigerian elites to address the region’s economic, political, and security challenges as a means of resolving the country’s broader issues.
Onaiyekan made these remarks in Abuja during a courtesy visit by the League of Northern Democrats (LND), led by former Kano State Governor Senator Ibrahim Shekarau. He commended the LND for advocating a “northern renaissance” and challenged its members to investigate the root causes of poverty and insecurity in the northern states compared to southern Nigeria.
“The reality is that if the north does not progress, Nigeria as a whole cannot progress. The same applies to Africa; if Nigeria doesn’t move forward, Africa cannot,” he said.
Onaiyekan highlighted that the northern region ranks poorly across various governance and living standards indices, calling it the “epicentre of poverty” in Nigeria. He urged the League of Northern Democrats to engage political leaders and question why conditions remain stagnant, despite federal resources being allocated to the region.
“We are in a federal system, and resources are distributed accordingly. So, what has gone wrong?” he asked.
The cardinal further stressed the importance of national unity, asserting that the country must advance together. He welcomed the LND’s initiative and offered his support, emphasizing that revitalizing the north would ultimately benefit Nigeria and, by extension, Africa. He also called for more democratic groups to step forward and advocate for good governance across Nigeria.
“Your initiative to form the League of Northern Democrats to address these critical issues is commendable. Go further, ask questions, because as you uplift the north, you’re setting Nigeria and Africa on a path to reinvention. We are the largest Black nation in the world,” he stated.
Onaiyekan also advocated for harmonious relations between Christians and Muslims, describing interfaith unity as essential for stability in northern Nigeria. He reminisced on the formation of the Nigerian Inter-Religious Council during former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s administration, expressing hope for future religious harmony.
Earlier, Senator Shekarau informed Onaiyekan of the LND’s mission to address poverty and insecurity in northern Nigeria. He emphasized that the group is non-partisan and inclusive, with members from various political backgrounds, all united in the goal of addressing the region’s socioeconomic issues.
“Our group is apolitical but deeply concerned about the economic and security conditions in the 19 northern states. We have members from all political affiliations, working together to transform the north’s economic landscape,” said Shekarau.
