Nigeria's northern groups pass no-confidence vote in political leaders

by Bosun Awoniyi

LAGOS, March 25 (Xinhua) -- The fate of most Nigerian northern politicians as candidates in the February 2019 general election hangs in the balance as 17 influential groups passed a vote of no confidence in President Muhammadu Buhari and politicians of northern extraction.

Led by the Arewa Consultative Forum and Northern Elders' Forum, the groups said the Nigerian leader and other politicians from the region have failed the north as they were unable to address the myriad problems of the region including security and poverty.

This was the conclusion of a summit of northern groups held in the northern city of Kaduna on Saturday.

They warned that "no Northern politician should expect to be voted for in the next general election unless they demonstrate a willingness to champion a massive assault on poverty and underdevelopment in the North.

The communique of the summit was read by the Chief of Staff to the Senate President, Hakeem Baba-Ahmed.

The groups said since 2015, northerners have occupied position with the potentials to make decisive differences in the economy, security and political fortunes in the region.

However, the groups said their political leaders had failed in all fronts, necessitating them to call on them to brace up or be voted out in 2019.

Earlier, the convener of the summit, Ango Abdullahi, said as election was less than one year away, it was imperative that the north search for credible presidential candidate to replace President Buhari.

The former vice-chancellor said the elders were also searching for credible potential governors and legislators to better represent the interest of the region.

Nigeria is scheduled to hold general elections in February 2019.

Nigeria in recent times has witnessed a worrying level of insecurity. The West African nation has lost more than 20,000 lives in the Northern region since 2009 to the insurgency of terror group Boko Haram. Enditem