Northern leaders affirm loss of mass confidence in Buhari govt, promise to arrest drift

Northern Leaders and Stakeholders Assembly, NLSA, Wednesday, admitted that there is disquiet, distrust and loss of confidence by the mass populace on the President Muhammadu Buhari-led federal government.

It, therefore, announced plan to hold a Northern political summit to address the drift and redeem the battered image of the polity.

Chairman of the steering committee of the political and non-partisan organisation, Tanko Yakassi said this during a courtesy call by the organisation to the Senate president, Bukola Saraki in Abuja.

“All across Nigeria, there is palpable disquiet, distrust and loss of confidence of the mass populace on the nation’s political class, a situation that creates a serious threat to the survival of democracy in the country.

“We have set in motion activities to hold a Northern political summit.

“We see it as a matter of urgency to come together to arrest the drift, recapture national power, redeem the battered image of the northern political class and rebuild confidence in our ability to effectively pilot our democracy,” he said.

Senate president Saraki responded, “By this time, as elders, you ought to be resting, but the patriotism in you brought you out. You said you are political but non-partisan, we are all political and we need to get Nigeria in the right direction.

“Being leaders, this is the time to find lasting solutions. This is not the time for blame. This is the time for us to bring peace and regional dialogue. No society worth its salt will keep quiet in the face of these killings.

“Something somewhere is wrong. We need to meet to bring about peaceful coexistence and unity in this country. Part of the solution is to know that something is wrong.

“I am happy that you are here and we will speak truth about the problems and to conduct ourselves on how to encourage dialogue and ensure that the right thing is done.”

Members of the delegation included former Deputy Senate President, Ibrahim Mantu, former Minister of Defence, Haliru Ballo Mohammed, former Governor of Niger state, Babangida Aliyu, former Governor of Kogi State, Idris Wada, former FCT ministers, Bala Mohammed and Abba Gana, former Minister of Women Affairs, Hajia Inna Ciroma, Dr. Umar Ardo, Hajia Zainab Maina, Dr. Mamman Shata and Senator Joseph Waku, among others.