Rabiu Kwankwaso, a prominent figure in the Nigeria Democratic Congress, recently stated that political leaders in the North have resolved to put aside past grievances to foster a stronger partnership with the South-East region. During a conversation with BBC Igbo, the former Kano State governor highlighted that historical cooperation between these regions is a well-established precedent.
Reflecting on past political collaborations, Kwankwaso pointed to figures like Odumegu Ojukwu and the late Alex Ekwueme as examples of leaders who bridged the divide between the North and the South-East. He emphasized that the Northern Peoples Congress previously aligned with the National Council of Nigerian Citizens, and subsequent leaders like Shehu Shagari maintained these strategic ties.
Kwankwaso argued that national unity requires a collective spirit of forgiveness. He noted that even after the civil war, political predecessors recognized the importance of working together rather than viewing each other as adversaries. He cited the inclusion of Alex Ekwueme as a Vice President as a practical outcome of this inclusive approach.
Regarding the current political landscape, the former governor dismissed the idea that this initiative targets any specific region, such as the South-West. Instead, he maintained that the goal is to move past regional or religious friction. He reiterated that the North aims to build a cooperative future where all geopolitical zones act as a single family within the nation.
