By: Kagana Amshi
Former Military President Gen. Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (rtd) has called on Northern leaders to close ranks and rescue the region from what he described as a drift toward collapse.
Speaking at his Minna residence on Thursday as monitored on the Facebook page, Babangida said the passing of several prominent Northern elders underscored the urgency for current leaders to step forward and safeguard the region’s dignity and influence.
“You can see that many of the region’s respected elders are passing away, including top religious scholars, politicians, and others,” he told reporters.
“Even I myself feel weak, and I am not sure whether I will survive beyond this year. Our prayer is to end our lives in faith.”
The former head of state recalled his administration’s efforts to advance Northern Nigeria, citing the relocation of the Federal Capital Territory from Lagos to Abuja as a defining intervention.
“If I had left the federal capital in Lagos and not moved it closer to our northern region, perhaps today the North would not even be recognised as it is,” Babangida said.
“Alhamdulillah, we have done our part, and now our time is coming to an end. I appeal to Northern leaders to unite and reclaim this region of ours, because we have no other like it.”
Babangida, 83, who ruled Nigeria from 1985 to 1993, has in recent years taken on the role of an elder statesman, frequently weighing in on national cohesion and regional stability.
His remarks come amid ongoing concerns over insecurity, economic stagnation, and political fragmentation in parts of the North.
He concluded by urging a new generation of Northern leaders to prioritise unity above personal interests, warning that the region's future depends on collective action.(Northern Nigerian Express.com)
