North Holds Keys To Nigeria’s Future Stability – Adebayo

The Social Democratic Party (SDP) presidential candidate, Prince Adewole Adebayo, has said that Northern Nigeria’s population and political strength make it central to solving national insecurity and driving West Africa’s future.

Speaking at the Arewa Awareness Summit on Unity Against Insecurity in Kaduna, Adebayo emphasized that he views the region’s problems as personal, stressing that all the problems can be solved with viable democratic leadership in the country.

The SDP flagbearer identified himself as a “northerner by choice” with 21 years of residence in the North and 10 years in government service.

SDP National Publicity Secretary, Araba Rufus Aiyenigba, disclosed Adebayo’s remarks in a statement issued in Abuja.

Adebayo argued the North is not weak, but under-leveraged.

“Democracy gives citizens power to choose leaders at every level. Nobody can come to power except through the will of the people. I urge voters to support accountable presidents, governors and council chairmen,” he said.

He described the North as an asset, not a burden, with a large youthful population, saying the region rivals the US, China and Japan in human capital potential.

“Countries with low population are now paying money for families. The North has the future,” he stated.

Adebayo said good governance can resolve most challenges within three years, and called for massive investment in agriculture, proposing “a million farms in the North” to create jobs and reduce poverty-driven insecurity.

He named corruption and education as urgent priorities, warning that no policy will work without tackling corruption, and decried the high number of out-of-school children.

“We must enhance education and establish education that banks on our students’ future,” he said.

Adebayo urged delegates to move from problem diagnosis to action.

“We are not as powerless as we think. If we follow the right path, Northern Nigeria will lead Nigeria, the Sahel and West Africa,” he added.