At the 3rd Expanded Meeting of the National Political Consultative Group (North) held at Abuja’s Continental Hotel, former Senate President and ADC Interim National Chairman David Mark asserted that many of the challenges facing Northern Nigeria such as poverty, insecurity, and economic hardship, are largely self-inflicted.
Speaking on the theme “Unity and Social Cohesion as a Panacea to the Challenges Facing Northern Nigeria,” Mark emphasized that blaming external forces won’t solve regional woes.
“We must first admit that we are the architects of our problems, we must stop the blame game if we truly and genuinely want to find a lasting solution.”
He recounted the region’s once-great heritage:
“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.”
Mark warned that continued disunity and inaction will further deepen the crisis: “Division has hindered the North’s progress, while apathy and lack of action have only widened the existing rift.”
He proposed a return to shared values: “If we are to overcome our present travails, we must return to the principles of justice, equity, mutual respect, and shared purpose that once made Northern Nigeria a beacon of hope, peace, unity and development.”
The former Senate President lamented that the North, once a model of security and cohesion, has now become the most troubled region in the country:
“Over the last decade, banditry, terrorism, insurgency and communal clashes have turned our villages into battlegrounds… Despite its vast resources, the North remains the poorest region in the country, with alarming rates of illiteracy, unemployment and poor infrastructure.”
He also criticized how ethnic and religious differences have been exploited:
“Mistrust between and among ethnic groups and religious communities has been exploited by selfish and desperate interests, leading to violent conflicts.”
On the role of political leaders, Mark made a passionate appeal: “Too often, as politicians, we exploit ethnic and religious differences in order to win elections…and thereafter, we leave our people hopelessly divided.”
He reaffirmed that “For us, politics is about service and not manipulation.”
Mark stressed the importance of fairness and inclusion: “The major cause of division in Northern Nigeria is the perception of marginalisation. We must ensure fairness in appointments, resource allocation, and opportunities.”
Highlighting the role of education and civic values: “Ignorance is the biggest enemy of unity, social cohesion and development. We must invest in education that teaches our children the value of diversity.”
He called for concrete intervention to break the cycle of violence:
“By generating employment, investing in agriculture, and empowering the youth, the North can eliminate the drivers of crime and insurgency.”
On restoring security at the community level, Mark referenced past models:
“Northern Nigeria used to be the safest part of Nigeria… The Native Authority… used to have an effective community policing infrastructure where villagers protected each other.”
He urged peaceful conflict resolution: “Wherever conflicts arise, we must choose dialogue over inflammatory rhetoric, peace mediation over mutual annihilation, repentance and forgiveness over vengeance.”
“The North is bleeding profusely, and we are the only ones who can heal it. Let us commit today to: Reject hate speech and divisive politics. Invest in unifying projects, education, healthcare and infrastructure. Hold each other accountable for our actions and inactions. Shake hands across the divide and restore our bond of brotherhood.”
