Ex-VP Namadi Sambo, Gen. Dambazau Endorse League of Northern Democrats
From Umar Dankano, Yola
Notable Northern elites have voiced their support for the newly formed ‘League of Northern Democrats’ (LND), a group aimed at uniting key stakeholders from the North to address the region’s numerous challenges.
Among the latest to endorse the group are former Vice President Arc. Muhammad Namadi Sambo and former Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Abdulrahman Bello Dambazau (Rtd.). Both leaders described the formation of the LND as “timely” and a “veritable platform” for galvanizing efforts to address the North’s and the country’s pressing issues.
While hosting the leadership of the League at his residence in Abuja, led by its chairman, former Kano State Governor Senator Ibrahim Shekarau, Sambo expressed his admiration for the initiative. He noted that the region faces a plethora of challenges that have hindered its growth and development.
“It is worrisome to see how insecurity has crippled agriculture and threatened the education and health of our children and women, widening the net of poverty and inequality across the North and the entire country,” Sambo lamented.
He further emphasized that, despite efforts by both federal and regional governments, these challenges remain unresolved. This, he argued, necessitates concerted efforts by key stakeholders and non-state actors to complement governmental initiatives.
Commending the LND, Sambo stated that its timing is right, and its goals are both apt and strategic. He stressed that the League transcends political and religious affiliations and urged the group to leverage their collective experiences and resources to meet the aspirations of the people while fostering sustainable peace and socio-economic development.
The former Vice President also pledged his full support for the initiative, urging the forum to “share thoughts and ideas that sharpen our collective resolve towards a secure, peaceful, and developed North and Nigeria.”
In a separate letter addressed to the group’s convener, Dr. Umar Ardo, former Chief of Army Staff Lieutenant General Abdulrahman Dambazau described the formation of the LND as a timely and crucial initiative. In his letter titled ABD/G1/300/15, dated September 3, 2024, Dambazau opined that the LND provides an opportunity to unite the efforts of leaders and stakeholders to address challenges and reposition the North for a more prosperous future.
Dambazau expressed his appreciation for the group’s commitment to tackling the region’s challenges and promised to actively participate in its activities aimed at restoring hope and confidence in Northern communities to foster development across the region and the country at large.
The League of Northern Democrats, convened by elder statesman Dr. Umar Ardo, was recently launched during a meeting attended by prominent Northern elites. The group appointed former Kano State Governor Senator Ibrahim Shekarau as its protem Chairman and former House of Representatives member Hon. Emmanuel Jime as its Secretary, among other distinguished Northern Nigerians.
The LND is scheduled to hold a historic summit in Kaduna in October this year, with Vice President Kashim Shettima expected to attend. According to its convener, the LND is not aligned with any political party or ethnic or religious group but was established to help the government tackle the myriad challenges undermining the northern states, including insecurity, poverty, illiteracy, destitution, unemployment, and the menace of drug addiction among the youth.
