Two former Chiefs of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Alwali Kazir and General Martin Luther Agwai (rtd) and other prominent Northerners have joined the League of Northern Democrats (NLD).
Specifically, Kazir and Agwai said the formation of the NLD is a welcome initiative worthy of support by all right-thinking people in view of the challenges facing the North and the country in general.
General Kazir, who was also a one time military governor of Kwara State, while hosting the leadership of the League led by its chairman, former Kano State Governor Senator Ibrahim Shekarau, at his residence in Abuja said:
“I am happy we still have thinking and patriotic people left in the present chaotic situation of the North. No matter who or where you are, so long as you come from what used to be the Protectorate of Northern Nigeria, then you are a Northerner and it is your duty to help make the North worthy of living.”
The former Army Chief said he read the group’s concept note and communique, which he said were in line with the current negative trends afflicting the region.
“I was told of the formation and activities of the LND by some close associates, and after going through the various publications on the LND, I became convinced that it’s the right place to be,” he said, citing the involvement of his son, Brigadier Kapeh, with the group as a testament to his level of support for the movement.
The former general who identified with and fully committed to supporting the initiative, tasked the LND to “live up to its mission and should not also die away as many other such organizations”.
At a separate occasion, another former Chief of Army Staff who rose to Chief of Defence Staff before his retirement, General Martin Luther Agwai, while receiving a delegation of the LND in his home led by its chairman Senator Ibrahim Shekarau said though he is not a politician, he aligned fully with the ideals and visions of the group. He said, “I will stand by you as your intentions seem to be as noble.”
He also commended the efforts and commitment of the leaders, describing it as a determined group to help tackle the challenges facing the region.
According to General Agwai, “Some of us saw these dangers coming long before we reached where we are today, and worked hard to avert them while we were in service”. He then promised to help in the group’s activities geared towards returning the region to the good old days of selfless service.
The League of Northern Democrats convened by an astute academic cum politician, Dr Umar Ardo, was recently launched in a meeting attended by critical northern elites.
The League is a coalition of two groups within the northern elite. One consists of individuals who have distinguished themselves in various sectors of public service, private enterprises, and other significant fields, while the other is composed of individuals who are members of families of renowned past leaders, patriots, heroes, distinct men and women from the North who served the country and left behind legacies of service and values.
According to the conveners, the group that plans a summit in October to address the issues of the North is nonpartisan, nonethnic, and devoid of religious affiliations.
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