Northern leaders condemn FG’s failure to rescue nation from socio-economic woes

Arewa leaders have criticized the nation’s political leadership for failure to rescue Nigerians from the current economic and security woes affecting the country, saying that democracy has failed to take its root in Nigeria.

The elders, comprising the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), Northern Elders Forum (ACF) and other representatives of other bodies yesterday, at the memorial foundation lecture of the late Sardauna of Sokoto, Sir Ahmadu Bello gave a damning conclusion that the present development in the country showed that Nigeria was heading towards anarchy and disintegration.

Leaders that lampooned the Federal Government include ACF Chairman, Alhaji Ibrahim Commasie, NEF Chairman, Professor Ango Abdullahi and Dr. Usman Bugaje.

Former Kano State Governor, Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau also, at the occasion said that voters’ education is the way out of the current political quagmire the country is facing.

According to him, the 36 states governors and the president cannot be held accountable until Nigerians ensure the quality of legislators they elect into offices, saying that the status quo of lack of good governance cannot change with a kind of attitude where people don’t care about who their legislators are.

Coomassie who chaired the memorial lecture pointed out that Nigeria might be heading towards anarchy and eventual disintegration if the problem of bad governance confronting the country is not addressed.

The ACF chieftain lamented that corrupt practices have become endemic and nepotism has become commonplace in most appointments while provision of quality education, potable water, efficient health services and power supply have been relegated to the background.

Coomasie explained that the era of Ahmadu Bello and Tafawa Balewa was a golden period for Nigeria and the Northern region, as they laid foundation and charted the course of the most unprecedented, purposeful and progressive development ever witnessed in the north.

While noting that the defunct Northern Region has been broken down to 19 northern states, for all intents and purposes of bringing governance closer to the people, Coomassie said the reverse has been the case.

He cautioned federal and state governments to urgently evolve ways of bringing an end the incessant clashes between herdsmen and farmers in parts of the country.

Abdullahi faulted both the current political leadership in the country and the political system in place.

Abdullahi said there is neither democracy nor good leadership in the country today. He insisted that the north got it wrong politically about 50 years ago and the present leadership is the architect of the precarious condition of the region and the country.