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A former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon (retd.), has commended the League of Northern Democrats and urged the North to prioritise national interests over regional concerns.
While hosting a delegation from the Senator Ibrahim Shekarau-led LND at the Yakubu Gowon Centre in Abuja on Wednesday, Gowon stressed the need to promote unity and cooperation among Nigeria’s various regions.
The former Head of State stated, “The north must ensure that its actions are in the best interest of Nigeria. My support for the creation of states was driven by the need to address fears of domination and to promote unity among all regions of the country.
“At that time, the fear of disintegration was palpable across all regions. My decision to advocate for state creation was to mitigate these fears and ensure a balanced federation.
“The division of the north into multiple states was a sacrifice made to ensure no single region would overshadow the others.”
He also shared his decision to stay neutral in politics, opting to concentrate on serving the nation instead.
Gowon emphasised Nigeria’s diversity as a source of strength and urged citizens to focus on unity and collective progress.
He continued, “My allegiance has always been to Nigeria. I believe in putting the country first and avoiding the distractions of partisan politics. Differences in opinion should never hinder us from working together for the nation’s good.”
The former Head of State also praised the LND for its dedication to unity and reminded the group of the importance of prioritizing Nigeria’s collective welfare over regional interests.
He continued, “I see your efforts as a continuation of the legacy of leaders like Sir Tafawa Balewa, who was both a northerner and a national democrat, The North must always act in the interest of the nation.
“Whatever you do, prioritise the collective good of Nigeria. Collaboration among states is essential, but it should never undermine the nation’s unity. Your efforts give me hope for Nigeria’s future, and I remain at your service.”
Earlier in his remarks, Shekarau highlighted the purpose of the League of Northern Democrats, describing it as a platform for unity, progress, and strategic leadership.
He noted that the LND was formed to tackle the increasing challenges in northern Nigeria, such as insecurity, poverty, disunity, and the decline of societal values.
The former Kano State Governor stated, “The LND seeks to reposition the north as a bastion of political, economic, and cultural influence while building bridges of unity across the country.”
He added that the League of Northern Democrats was born out of a shared sense of urgency and responsibility among Northern elites to address the critical challenges facing our region.
Shekarau continued, “At its heart, LND is a movement of patriots united by the conviction that the sacrifices made under your leadership to preserve Nigeria’s unity must never be in vain.
“LND is made up of distinguished individuals who have excelled in public service, private enterprise, and other sectors, as well as descendants of Northern patriots and heroes whose legacies inspire us to build a better tomorrow.
“Together, we seek to reposition the North as a bastion of political, economic and cultural influence – a North that reclaims its historical role as a beacon of leadership in Nigeria!
“Sir, there is very little we can tell you that you may not have averted your mind on. But the challenges we face today – disunity, poverty, illiteracy, insecurity, drug addiction and the erosion of societal values – demand urgent and deliberate action.
“As you have often reminded us, if people do not rise to address their own issues, no one else will. This ethos of self-reliance and collective responsibility inspired the formation of the LND as a platform for proactive and collaborative solutions to our problems.”
