Presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 elections, Peter Obi, has declared that Northern Nigeria holds the key to unlocking the country’s most pressing challenges. He urged political leaders from the region to take decisive steps toward transforming Nigeria through purposeful leadership and visionary governance.

 

Speaking during a high-level strategic meeting with Northern political stakeholders under the National Political Consultative Group, Obi described the North not as a liability, but as “Nigeria’s greatest untapped asset.”

 

His remarks were contained in a statement signed by Ibrahim Umar, spokesperson for the Peter Obi Media Reach (POMR), and made available to The Guardian on Sunday evening.

 

Addressing an influential audience that included former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Obi said insecurity and rising criminality in the North were not cultural or religious issues, but symptoms of deep-rooted poverty and systemic neglect.

 

“You cannot fight poverty without education. And you cannot fight insecurity without addressing hunger and hopelessness,” Obi said. “The North has voted for religion and tribe in the past. Now is the time to vote for competence, character, and a shared national vision.”

 

Drawing from his banking background, Obi reminisced on Kano’s past status as an economic powerhouse, lamenting its decline.

 

“Kano used to be where we went for cash flow. Today, its industries are silent, and its youth are unemployed. This decline is not destiny—it’s the result of poor leadership and lost priorities,” he added.

 

Obi challenged Northern leaders to shift away from traditional politics and embrace a bold agenda focused on education, agriculture, and entrepreneurship. He cited examples of nations like Bangladesh and the Netherlands, which, despite limited resources, have achieved food security and economic progress through effective leadership and smart policies.

 

“We have more land, more people, and more potential than many agrarian nations. What we lack is leadership with vision, empathy, and courage,” Obi stressed.

 

Former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, who delivered the keynote address, echoed Obi’s views. He decried the deteriorating security conditions in the region and emphasized the need for urgent collective action.

 

“The time for talk is over. It’s time for action. The North must rise—not just for itself, but for the future of Nigeria,” Malami declared.

 

The meeting concluded with stakeholders renewing their commitment to building a pan-Nigerian coalition rooted in trust, competence, and national unity.