ABUJA — Labour Party presidential candidate in the 2023 election, Peter Obi, has called on leaders in Northern Nigeria to take the lead in transforming the country, saying the region holds the key to resolving Nigeria’s deepest socioeconomic challenges.
Obi made the call during a strategic meeting with Northern political stakeholders under the National Political Consultative Group, held at the Abuja Continental Hotel. Addressing attendees that included former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, he described the North as “Nigeria’s greatest untapped asset,” urging a shift from identity-based politics to one rooted in competence and shared vision.
“You cannot fight poverty without education, and you cannot fight insecurity without addressing hunger and hopelessness,” Obi said. “The North has voted for religion and tribe in the past. Now is the time to vote for competence, character, and a shared national vision.”
Supporting his remarks, former Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, also called for a united platform to tackle rising insecurity and regional decline.
Meanwhile, a delegate from Jigawa State, Auwalu Garba, has debunked media reports claiming the meeting ended in chaos. He clarified that what occurred was a brief procedural disagreement over who was authorised to speak for the state. The matter, he said, was resolved amicably, and Mustapha Lamido—son of former Jigawa governor Sule Lamido—along with another delegate, were affirmed as the state’s representatives.
In a related development, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) appears set to serve as the platform for the emerging opposition coalition targeting the 2027 presidential election. The party’s National Chairman, Ralphs Okey Nwosu, revealed that final decisions would be reached in one or two weeks.
Nwosu said the ADC had been quietly engaging stakeholders and civil society over the past 16 months to build grassroots consensus. “We needed to go beyond political talks among leaders. Nigeria’s current situation could either lead to a citizens’ revolt or a patriots’ coalition,” he said.
He emphasised that the ADC’s credibility made it a strong candidate to unify opposition voices, adding that final coalition talks would involve citizens’ groups and other critical actors before formal adoption.
