From Romanus Ugwu and Ndubuis Orji, Abuja
The interim National Chairman of African Democratic Congress (ADC), David Mark, has claimed that embracing the coalition opposition party in the 2027 general elections is the panacea to extricate the northern region from the bleeding clutches of insurgency and banditry.
googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-1718806029429-0’); });
Speaking at the third plenary session of Northern Political Consultative Group (NOCG) held in Abuja yesterday, Mark urged indigenes of the north to reject hate speech and divisive politics, invest in unifying projects like education, healthcare and infrastructure, hold each other accountable for their actions and inactions and to shake hands across the divide to restore the bond of brotherhood.
He further advised that the region should opt for dialogue over inflammable rhetoric, peace mediation over mutual annihilation, repentance and forgiveness over vengeance wherever conflicts arise, lamenting that since too much blood has been shed in the land, it is time to make peace.
His words: “The North as we know is a land of rich history and mineral resources, fertile land for agriculture, diverse cultures, and immense potential. In spite of these blessings, we are confronted with deep-seated challenges of insecurity, poverty, ethnic and religious tensions, political fragmentation, social and economic stagnation.
“These challenges did not develop overnight nor will they disappear until we resolve to take deliberate, collective and decisive action. Over the last decade, banditry, terrorism, insurgency and communal clashes have turned our villages into battlegrounds, displacing millions and crippling our economy.
“Despite its vast resources, the North remains the poorest region in the country, with alarming rates of illiteracy, unemployment and poor infrastructure.
“Mistrust between and among ethnic groups and religious communities has been exploited by selfish and desperate interests, leading to violent conflicts. Instead of uniting for common goals, our elites often prioritize personal and sectional interests over collective progress. “But there is a path that could lead to a better future for Northern Nigeria and this path begins with our collective decision to abandon division and embrace unity. We must tone down our inflammable statements and return to that golden era when we used to have genuine and deep respect for each other.”
The ADC leader challenged Northern politicians to consider building bridges as their sacred duties, saying,:”Too often, as politicians, we exploit ethnic and religious differences in order to win elections, and thereafter, we leave our people hopelessly divided. The challenges facing northern Nigeria are intricately interconnected. Insecurity scares away investors, which in turn, deepens poverty. Poverty fuels desperation and crime. Ethnic divisions weaken our collective resolve to demand good governance.
“Political fragmentation ensures that no meaningful development takes root in our region. This is not the North that we inherited,” Mark said.
He proffered possible solutions: “As leaders, as politicians or just as ordinary citizens, all of us must consider it our sacred duty to be bridge-builders, not dividers in our local communities. Too often, as politicians, we exploit ethnic and religious differences in order to win elections, and thereafter, we leave our people hopelessly divided.
“The destructive weaponisation of ethnicity and religion we saw in the last election is unacceptable. This is where the ADC will make the difference. For us, politics is about service and not manipulation.”
The post Only ADC can end insurgency, banditry ravaging northern region – David Mark appeared first on The Sun Nigeria.
