A socio-political group, Forward Nigeria, has launched a political advocacy campaign, calling on Northern Nigeria's political stakeholders to respect the power shift arrangement between the North and South. The group's Co-Convener, Comrade Ibrahim Abdullahi Waiya, made the appeal at the group's unveiling in Abuja. Waiya, also the Kano State Commissioner of Information and Internal Affairs, emphasized the importance of maintaining this arrangement for national unity and development.
The power rotation arrangement has been in place since Nigeria's return to democratic governance in 1999. Forward Nigeria believes that this arrangement has fostered national unity and even development across the country. The group is urging Northern political stakeholders to support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's completion of his eight-year presidential tenure before the North seeks to reclaim power. This, they argue, will provide political continuity and allow the government to consolidate its policies and projects.
Comrade Waiya warned that seeking to claim the presidency after only one term would undermine the principle of power rotation and risk reopening sectional tensions that have historically shaped Nigeria's presidential politics. He urged Northern political stakeholders to prioritize national balance over immediate electoral calculations. Waiya emphasized that Nigerians should focus on governance and development rather than allowing the 2027 contest to revive sectional divisions.
The group highlighted the Tinubu administration's efforts to address the country's economic and security challenges. Waiya cited the introduction of Local Government autonomy, increased financial resources for sub-national governments, and moves towards establishing State police structures as significant reforms. These reforms, he argued, could strengthen governance and security. Kano State, for instance, has established a State Police implementation committee, which could contribute to job creation and improved security.
Dr. Kingsley Tochukwu Udeh, Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology and co-convener of Forward Nigeria, also spoke at the event. He emphasized that the Federal Government's reforms aim to move Nigeria from infrastructure and connectivity to production, jobs, and prosperity. Udeh urged citizens to examine the practical impact of infrastructure development, particularly in the North, and to prioritize inclusiveness, innovation, and national unity.
Udeh described the administration's development trajectory as "reform to infrastructure, infrastructure to connectivity, connectivity to production, production to jobs, and jobs to prosperity." He called on Nigerians to support Tinubu's re-election in 2027 to consolidate the reforms. Udeh also urged Forward Nigeria members to prioritize evidence-based approaches, inclusiveness, innovation, and national unity in their activities.
Forward Nigeria is a bridge between policy and people, aiming to facilitate bottom-to-top citizen engagement. The group is not affiliated with any particular political party and is dedicated to all Nigerians. With its launch, Forward Nigeria seeks to promote a more inclusive and equitable political landscape in Nigeria, emphasizing the importance of power rotation and national unity.
Key points
- - The group Forward Nigeria is urging Northern stakeholders to respect the power rotation arrangement. - The arrangement has been in place since Nigeria's return to democracy in 1999. - The group believes that allowing President Tinubu to complete his eight-year term will provide political continuity and allow for the consolidation of policies and projects.
