Introduction to National Unity
A former Social Democratic Party (SDP) presidential candidate, Prince Adewole Adebayo, has urged northern leaders to spearhead efforts to rebuild trust in governance and strengthen national unity. Adebayo made the call in a statement on Wednesday after visiting Alhaji Bashir Dalhatu, the Board of Trustees Chairman of Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) in Abuja.
The Role of ACF in National Development
He described the ACF as “a premier institution in Northern Nigeria,” commending Dalhatu for his decades of national service and role in resolving key national challenges. “My visit is not politically motivated, but to foster national dialogue and collective reflection before partisanship takes over,” Adebayo said. He identified three priorities for national renewal: the North’s leadership role in unity, ending episodic governance and empowering a new generation to rebuild accountability of institutions.
Priorities for National Renewal
“The journey to nationhood started in 1914. There is no reverse gear in the vehicle of Nigeria. We began with one North, one people, one destiny,” he said. He lamented that politics had become divisive. “Today, politics makes it seem every man is for himself. The ACF must use its moral authority to restore balance,” he said. Adebayo criticised the erosion of long-term planning and neglect of national projects, saying political energy was now spent on wrong priorities.
Challenges Facing the Nation
“The real issues; infrastructure, jobs and education are being ignored. Leaders must prioritise service delivery and accountability,” he said. He decried rising religious and ethnic politics. “In the past, you could not claim to be a Christian or Muslim leader in the North. Now faith even determines value for life,” he said. Adebayo urged youths to embrace inclusiveness and competence. “Our politics must leave no one behind. It should be based on performance, not origin,” he said.
Response from ACF Chairman
Responding, Dalhatu described Adebayo’s visit as timely and commendable. “Your visit shows that in spite of political differences, national interest can still come first,” he said. He reaffirmed the ACF’s commitment to unity and good governance. “We are not partisan but deeply interested in security, inclusion and development,” Dalhatu said. “Whenever the country faces difficulty, the North feels the impact most. We must act with sincerity and vision to heal divisions,” he said.
The Way Forward
“Our biggest challenge is trust; between government and citizens, North and South and among ethnic and religious groups,” he added. Dalhatu said that the ACF would continue serving as a moral compass. “For 25 years, we have promoted unity and dialogue. We may not have power, but we have influence,” he said. He added that the forum’s 25th anniversary, scheduled for Kaduna in two weeks, would assess the North’s role in promoting stability and national development.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Prince Adewole Adebayo’s call for northern leaders to spearhead efforts to rebuild trust in governance and strengthen national unity is a timely and necessary step towards promoting national development. The ACF’s commitment to unity and good governance is also commendable, and their role as a moral compass is crucial in promoting dialogue and inclusiveness.
FAQs
Q: What is the ACF and what is its role in national development?
A: The ACF is a premier institution in Northern Nigeria that promotes unity and good governance. It serves as a moral compass and has been promoting dialogue and inclusiveness for 25 years.
Q: What are the priorities for national renewal identified by Prince Adewole Adebayo?
A: The priorities for national renewal identified by Prince Adewole Adebayo are the North’s leadership role in unity, ending episodic governance and empowering a new generation to rebuild accountability of institutions.
Q: What is the biggest challenge facing the nation, according to Dalhatu?
A: The biggest challenge facing the nation is trust; between government and citizens, North and South and among ethnic and religious groups.
