Abuja: 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 after visiting Alhaji Bashir Dalhatu, the Board of Trustees Chairman of Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) in Abuja.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Adebayo 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 stated.
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. “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 emphasized.
Adebayo lamented that politics had become divisive, noting, “Today, politics makes it seem every man is for himself. The ACF must use its moral authority to restore balance.” He criticized the erosion of long-term planning and neglect of national projects, stating that political energy was now spent on wrong priorities.
“The real issues; infrastructure, jobs, and education are being ignored. Leaders must prioritize service delivery and accountability,” Adebayo asserted. He also decried rising religious and ethnic politics, remarking, “In the past, you could not claim to be a Christian or Muslim leader in the North. Now faith even determines value for life.”
Adebayo urged youths to embrace inclusiveness and competence, stating, “Our politics must leave no one behind. It should be based on performance, not origin.”
Responding, Dalhatu described Adebayo’s visit as timely and commendable, saying, “Your visit shows that in spite political differences, national interest can still come first.” He reaffirmed the ACF’s commitment to unity and good governance, declaring, “We are not partisan but deeply interested in security, inclusion, and development.”
Dalhatu further noted, “Whenever the country faces difficulty, the North feels the impact most. We must act with sincerity and vision to heal divisions.” He emphasized the challenge of trust, saying, “Our biggest challenge is trust; between government and citizens, North and South, and among ethnic and religious groups.”
He concluded by stating that the ACF would continue serving as a moral compass, remarking, “For 25 years, we have promoted unity and dialogue. We may not have power, but we have influence.”