Introduction to the North’s Political Landscape

The political class in Nigeria has begun early maneuvering ahead of the 2027 general election. Director-General of the Northern Elders Forum (NEF), Prof. Doknan Sheni, has warned that the North risks a deeper collapse into ethno-religious tension unless it deliberately returns to the spirit of inclusive politics pioneered by the late Premier of the Northern Region, Sir Ahmadu Bello.

The Threat of Identity Manipulation

Speaking as lead presenter at an expanded meeting of the National Political Consultative Group (NPCG) in Abuja, Sheni faulted politicians who continue to weaponize ethnicity and faith for electoral gain. He stressed that such identity manipulation has become the biggest threat to internal cohesion in the region — and by extension, Nigeria. Sheni argued that if the North is serious about 2027, then a massive public enlightenment drive must be launched to push voters away from sentimental politics and back to ideology, values, and party manifestos.

The Need for Inclusive Politics

Sheni insisted that political leaders across party lines must subordinate personal ambition to national interest, embrace rule-based democracy, and end what he called the “do-or-die” culture of power pursuit. He noted that elites are profiting from division and that unless identity issues are managed with wisdom, the region will remain trapped in crisis. Sheni called on traditional rulers and clerics to watch their words, noting that inciteful rhetoric, both privately and publicly, is now dangerously rampant.

Managing Identity Issues

Sheni urged strict enforcement of the Electoral Act to curb vote-buying and other abuses. Recalling the Sardauna era, Sheni questioned how the North drifted from a legacy of merit-driven inclusion to today’s stark religious and ethnic polarisation. He cited examples of Christian technocrats who served under Sardauna, including Sunday Awoniyi and J.D. Durlong, as well as his own late father, Danjuma Denham Sheni, who was sponsored by the Northern Region to Oxford and later served as District Officer in Hadejia and Kano.

A Call to Action

Sheni asked if governors today can deliberately appoint people outside their own religious or ethnic stock into top roles. He emphasized that small gestures of fairness shape big perceptions of unity. To operationalize a return to that Sardauna template, Sheni proposed that northern stakeholders convene a summit in Q1 2026 to harmonize agenda and strategy ahead of 2027. He further recommended the constitution of a committee with representatives from all northern states to draft a Northern Development Blueprint to be adopted at that summit.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the North’s political landscape is at a critical juncture, and the region’s stakeholders must take deliberate steps to return to the spirit of inclusive politics pioneered by Sir Ahmadu Bello. This requires a massive public enlightenment drive, a commitment to rule-based democracy, and an end to the “do-or-die” culture of power pursuit. By managing identity issues with wisdom and promoting merit-driven inclusion, the North can avoid a deeper collapse into ethno-religious tension and build a more united and prosperous region.

FAQs

Q: What is the main threat to internal cohesion in the North?
A: The main threat to internal cohesion in the North is identity manipulation, where politicians use ethnicity and faith for electoral gain.
Q: What is the proposed solution to the North’s political challenges?
A: The proposed solution is to return to the spirit of inclusive politics pioneered by Sir Ahmadu Bello, through a massive public enlightenment drive, a commitment to rule-based democracy, and an end to the “do-or-die” culture of power pursuit.
Q: What is the role of traditional rulers and clerics in promoting unity in the North?
A: Traditional rulers and clerics have a critical role to play in promoting unity in the North by watching their words and avoiding inciteful rhetoric.
Q: What is the proposed timeline for the North’s stakeholders to convene a summit and draft a Northern Development Blueprint?
A: The proposed timeline is for the stakeholders to convene a summit in Q1 2026 and draft a Northern Development Blueprint to be adopted at that summit.