Comrade Ibrahim Garba Wala has called on Northern intellectuals and elites to reject what he described as the use of ethnic and religious sentiments to shield public figures from accountability.
In an open letter titled “An Open Letter to the Northern Intelligentsia: Unmasking the Ethnic Shield and the Mortgage of Our Future,” Wala argued that protecting individuals accused of wrongdoing based on regional identity only deepens the challenges facing Northern Nigeria.
Wala, who described himself as an advocate for transparency and accountability, said his position was shaped by personal experiences in the struggle against corruption and institutional failures.
He criticised the defence mounted by some supporters of Senator Abdul’aziz Yari following allegations raised by activist Dan Bello involving Ajap Financial Services Ltd and Asad Universal Concept Ltd.
According to him, arguments suggesting that Northern businesses should be protected because other regions defend their own are harmful to the fight against corruption.
Wala argued that accountability should not be determined by ethnicity, stressing that wrongdoing should be investigated regardless of whether those involved are from the North or South.
He cited previous controversies involving major Southern-linked companies, arguing that public scrutiny and legal challenges were not avoided because of regional identity.
The activist maintained that using ethnic solidarity to defend alleged financial misconduct only protects a few individuals while leaving ordinary citizens to suffer from poor governance.
He highlighted challenges affecting Northern communities, including insecurity, out-of-school children, weak healthcare systems, and poverty, arguing that public resources should be directed toward solving these problems.
“Corruption has no geographic boundary. Hunger does not respect ethnic alignment. The bullets of bandits do not check the tribe or religion of their victims,” Wala stated.
He called on Northern intellectuals to demand transparency and allow institutions to investigate allegations without political, ethnic, or religious interference.
Wala concluded that the region’s progress depends on building stronger institutions and rejecting loyalty to individuals over the collective interests of the people.
