Former Nigerian military Head of State, Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida, has called on Northern leaders to unite and work towards rescuing the region from what he described as a steady decline.
Speaking during an address on Thursday morning, Babangida expressed concern over the increasing loss of prominent Northern elders, including respected religious scholars and political figures, warning that the region risks losing its direction if leaders fail to act collectively.
“You can see that many of the region’s respected elders are passing away, including top religious scholars, politicians, and others. 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,” he said.
The former military ruler reflected on the contributions made by past Northern leaders toward the development of the region and the country, citing the relocation of Nigeria’s Federal Capital from Lagos to Abuja during his administration as a strategic decision aimed at strengthening national balance and bringing governance closer to the North.
“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 recognized as it is,” Babangida stated.
He added that his generation of leaders had played its part and urged the current crop of Northern leaders to rise above division and reclaim the region’s unity and influence.
“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,” he added.
