Former Social Democratic Party presidential candidate Prince Adewole Adebayo emphasized the need for collective effort to address episodic governance in Nigeria. During a visit to the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) headquarters in Abuja, he warned that the country’s progress is hampered by the lack of continuity in development plans, which successive governments often abandon.
Adebayo met with the forum’s Board of Trustees chairman, Bashir Dalhatu, and highlighted the importance of national integration, especially as political institutions face challenges. He noted that the North remains a vital component of the Nigerian state and that organizations such as the ACF and the Northern Elders Forum play crucial roles in promoting stability and unity. Using an analogy, he likened Nigeria’s journey to nationhood to a train with no reverse gear, insisting that the country must keep moving forward.
Expressing concern over the absence of a common basis for unity, Adebayo cited the tragic killings in the North, which have failed to elicit a unified national condemnation. He called for national unity that transcends religion, ethnicity, and region, and urged reforms that make Nigeria work for all citizens. He also stressed the need to prepare a new generation of patriotic Nigerians for leadership roles, promising that his party’s politics would prioritize accountability and service delivery. According to Adebayo, no reform should render any citizen a non‑Nigerian; there is only one Nigeria.
In response, ACF Chairman Bashir Dalhatu praised Adebayo’s patriotism and passion for national unity, describing him as one of the few politicians who think beyond regional lines. Dalhatu explained that the ACF was established to protect the interests of the North within a united Nigeria and urged Nigerians to prioritize their national identity over regional affiliations.
The meeting underscores the necessity of collective effort to tackle Nigeria’s governance challenges and promote national unity. As the country prepares for future leadership, emphasis on accountability, service delivery, and patriotism is likely to remain central to the national conversation. With the Arewa Consultative Forum and similar organizations playing vital roles in fostering stability and unity, Nigeria’s progress toward a more integrated and effective governance system will depend on leaders’ ability to work together and prioritize the nation’s interests.
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