—Former Senate President Urges Region to Embrace Oneness
Senator David Mark, former Senate President and Acting National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), has asserted that the socio-economic and political challenges facing Northern Nigeria are largely self-inflicted.
In his keynote address at the 3rd Plenary Session of the Northern Political Consultative Group held over the weekend in Abuja, Mark emphasized the need for the North to return to a path of unity, justice, and mutual respect.
“The North is a land rich in history, mineral resources, and fertile agricultural land, blessed with diverse cultures and immense potential. Yet, we are grappling with significant challenges such as insecurity, poverty, ethnic and religious tensions, political fragmentation, and social stagnation. These issues did not arise overnight, nor will they vanish without deliberate and collective action,” he stated.
Mark urged attendees to recognize their role in creating these challenges, stating, “We must first admit that we are the architects of our problems. The blame game must stop if we genuinely seek lasting solutions.”
He highlighted that division has hindered progress, while indifference and inaction have exacerbated the region’s challenges. “To overcome our current difficulties, we must return to the principles of justice, equity, mutual respect, and shared purpose that once made Northern Nigeria a beacon of hope and development,” he added.
To regain influence in national politics, Mark cautioned against divisive politics and inflammatory rhetoric. He called for a return to the cooperative spirit of the First Republic, when political leaders prioritized the collective good over ethnic and religious affiliations.
“The challenges facing Northern Nigeria are interconnected. Insecurity drives away investors, which deepens poverty; poverty breeds desperation and crime; ethnic divisions weaken our resolve to demand good governance; and political fragmentation stifles meaningful development. This is not the North we inherited,” he remarked.
Mark proposed a path toward a better future through unity, urging attendees to embrace a collective identity as Northerners rather than allowing tribalism and religious bigotry to define them. He reminisced about the leadership of Sir Ahmadu Bello, the Sardauna of Sokoto, who prioritized equity and justice for all citizens of the North, irrespective of their ethnic backgrounds.
“Today, we must reflect on where we went wrong. When did we forsake the philosophy of ‘One North, One People’? When did tribalism and religious bigotry come to define our identity?” he questioned.
The event, held at the Ladi Kwali Hall of the Abuja Continental Hotel, was attended by notable figures, including former Secretary to the Government of the Federation Babachir Lawal, former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, former Attorney-General Abubakar Malami (SAN), and former Minister of Police Affairs Adamu Maina Waziri, among others.
