Nigeria: Northern Interest Needs To Be Defended – Says IBB

A former military president, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (IBB), has expressed that Northern Nigeria requires influential advocates who will sincerely strive for its advancement and safeguard its interests.

Naija News reports that IBB made this remark during a visit from officials of the Arewa Cohesion for Peace, Unity and Development Initiative, headed by its Chairman of the Board of Trustees and former governor of Sokoto State, Alhaji Attahiru Dalhatu Bafarawa, at his Hilltop Residence in Minna, Niger State on Wednesday.

IBB commended the initiative of establishing the movement and offered his support.

He emphasized that the North necessitates such a movement backed by reputable individuals like Alhaji Bafarawa and the Director General of the movement, Dr Abdullahi Idris, particularly at this juncture in Nigeria’s history.

He urged the officials of the Arewa cohesion to remain resolute in defending both northern interests and those of the nation.

The former Military leader remarked that the new advocacy group for northern unity and good governance has emerged at a crucial time when the region requires strong voices.

In his address, the Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Alhaji Attahiru Dalhatu Bafarawa, stated that the North needs a powerful voice to safeguard its interests in national matters, which is the reason for the formation of the Arewa Cohesion Movement.

If There Is Peace, Nigerians Will Sleep Well – Bafarawa

During a discussion with journalists following his meeting with IBB regarding the nation’s condition and the future of the North, Alhaji Bafarawa stated that both the North and Nigeria urgently require peace and effective democratic practices to address the needs of the populace.

He emphasized that it is inappropriate to hold any particular region accountable for Nigeria’s difficulties and urged for solidarity among leaders and citizens to advance the nation.

“We have come to check on the health of our leader to know how he is feeling and to seek advice on the current situation and how to move Nigeria forward.

“So, it is our task to see what we can do to assist ourselves, not even assisting the government, but assisting ourselves. If there is peace, Nigerians will sleep well. So, it is our duty to see what we can do so that the north and the country in general can move forward.

“We told him the purpose of our visit, and he blessed our coming and assured that he would continue to guide us in everything we do.

“We need unity; we need peace in this country. And without opposition, there is no democracy. So, we have to allow democracy to grow. So, I don’t see any reason why somebody should say that there is no opposition.

“I am on sabbatical leave. I have not completely quit politics. But what we are doing now, I am not a member of APC; I am not a member of PDP; I am not a member of any political party, not even the coalition movement. I am doing my politics in a very positive way, in a way that people would understand what it is all about. Even if we are going to support anybody, you have to come up with a blueprint to tell us the problems and we see how we can assist and support you to move our region and the country forward,” Bafarawa said.

Bafarawa said it is wrong to blame the challenges of the country on a particular region, saying that “If your head or your eye is sick, it will affect all your body. All this stupidity of calling the North or South doesn’t make sense to any Nigerian. Whatever we are going to do, let us make sure that Nigeria is one.”

In his remark, the Director General of Arewa Cohesion, Dr. Abdullahi Idris, stated that the initiative aims to promote unity and development in the North, ensuring that appropriate measures are taken to foster the region’s progress.

He expressed that Nigerians are dissatisfied with the prevailing security challenges, thus highlighting the necessity for collective efforts to bring about constructive changes.

He expressed gratitude to the former president for his support and collaboration with the movement.

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