…Says North lacks credible leaders today
Former Vice-Chancellor of Ahmadu Bello University and Chairman of the Northern Elders Forum (NEF), Professor Ango Abdullahi, has raised serious concerns about the future of northern Nigeria, warning that the region currently lacks credible leadership following the death of former President Muhammadu Buhari and other prominent figures.
Speaking in a published interview, Abdullahi described Buhari as a “political accident”, whose military and civilian administrations both suffered due to his failure to surround himself with competent and honest advisors. He argued that despite Buhari’s personal integrity and good intentions, his lack of political sophistication and poor personnel choices ultimately derailed his government.
“Buhari wasn’t a politician, and he didn’t understand politics. He repeated the same mistakes from his military regime during his time as a civilian president,” Abdullahi said. “He trusted the wrong people – many without voter cards or political grounding – and this is what ruined his administration. There was a lot of stealing”.
Reflecting on Buhari’s legacy, Abdullahi acknowledged that while the former president may not have deliberately failed the North, his unwillingness to take meaningful advice and collaborate with seasoned political figures resulted in widespread disappointment and underperformance both at the federal and state levels.
He revealed that the Northern Elders Forum offered Buhari free, non-political advice on governance, including a 40-point policy document delivered personally, but the administration chose to rely on unqualified loyalists instead.
On the future of the region, Abdullahi painted a grim picture, lamenting the absence of trusted northern politicians capable of inspiring public confidence or resolving the region’s pressing challenges.
“I haven’t seen sufficient evidence that any of the current politicians can be trusted to lead. Most were part of the problem when they governed their states. They are the ones running around now looking for power again”, he said.
Abdullahi also criticized Nigeria’s democratic framework, calling it a distorted version of the American presidential system. He questioned how President Bola Tinubu was declared winner with only 26% of the vote, arguing that under true democratic norms, a majority of over 50% would be required.
The NEF chairman stressed that the only hope for the North – and the country at large – lies in an electorate that refuses to be deceived by recycled elites. “The most effective way for people to protect themselves is through the ballot. Nigerians should elect people who won’t betray them”, he stated.
The Northern Elders Forum, he added, will continue to monitor the national direction and advocate for a fair deal for the North, but ultimate responsibility lies with the voters.
