Details emerge: PDP Chieftain Challenges Northern Leaders to Prioritise Human Progress, End Poverty

Otunba Segun Showunmi, a prominent figure within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has issued a strong appeal to political leaders, traditional rulers, intellectuals, and young people across Northern Nigeria. He urged them to focus intensely on human development, promote accountability, and boost economic empowerment, warning that the region risks squandering yet another chance to significantly improve its circumstances.

In an open letter titled 'A Letter to This Generation of Arewa: Will the North Miss History Again?', which was made available to journalists on Saturday, Showunmi highlighted pressing issues such as widespread poverty, persistent insecurity, educational deficits, and insufficient economic opportunities. He stressed that these challenges demand immediate and decisive action from both the political class and ordinary citizens in the North.

Showunmi argued that true progress in Northern Nigeria would remain elusive if regional identity continued to serve as a shield for political leaders, preventing scrutiny or discouraging demands for accountability from citizens. He emphasized that the region must transcend mere political loyalty and instead evaluate its leaders based on tangible improvements in the lives of its populace.

Reflecting on the situation, Showunmi stated, “Today, when I look at the scale of the challenges confronting Northern Nigeria, I cannot help but ask myself: What happened to us? How did we arrive at this point? And why have we not summoned the collective courage to confront those responsible for the decisions and failures that brought us here?”

He further expressed his deep concern for those affected: “I cannot look at the child who should be in school but is not, and feel indifferent. I cannot think of a farmer who should be cultivating his land but is afraid to return to his farm. This mother struggles to feed her children, the young man who has become vulnerable to recruitment into violence because opportunity has abandoned him, or the family forced to flee its home, and pretend that these are merely statistics.”

Showunmi underscored the human element behind the numbers: “Behind every statistic is a human being. Behind every percentage point is a life. Behind every development ranking is a child whose opportunities may have been narrowed before that child even understood what opportunity meant. And behind the enormous human-development challenges of Northern Nigeria are questions of leadership, public policy, institutional responsibility, and the choices that generations have made or failed to make.”

He asserted that Northern Nigeria possesses abundant human and material resources necessary for significant advancement, yet much of this potential remains untapped. He partly attributed the region’s current difficulties to past leadership decisions, flawed public policies, institutional weaknesses, and the failure of successive generations to effectively tackle long-standing problems. He questioned the justification for celebrating electoral successes when many communities still grapple with insecurity, inadequate education, and limited economic prospects.

“The tragedy of Arewa is not that its people lack potential. The tragedy is that so much of that potential remains unrealised while the cost is paid by generations who had no part in creating the circumstances that constrain them,” Showunmi lamented.

The letter also drew parallels with the legacies of historical figures like the late Premier of Northern Nigeria, Sir Ahmadu Bello, and former Prime Minister, Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa. Showunmi urged the current generation to measure its performance against the ambitious goals set by these founding leaders. He pondered what explanations contemporary Northern leaders would offer for the region’s persistent developmental challenges if they were to account for their stewardship.

He added, “This region must focus on building institutions, improving governance and expanding opportunities for its people instead of relying on historical achievements to justify its present circumstances.” Showunmi implored Northern Nigerians to prioritize the long-term welfare of the region over partisan interests and the individual political ambitions of leaders, emphasizing that the region’s future hinges on its willingness to confront uncomfortable realities, demand accountability, and seize opportunities to uplift its people.

Regarding President Bola Tinubu’s administration, Showunmi acknowledged the Federal Government's ongoing economic reforms aimed at addressing structural economic weaknesses. However, he also noted that these measures have caused considerable immediate hardship for vulnerable households. He suggested that these reforms should be evaluated based on their implementation, measurable outcomes, and their ultimate ability to enhance the living conditions of ordinary Nigerians. He raised critical questions about whether the policies would stimulate investment, improve productivity, strengthen public finances, create more employment, and enable the government to adequately fund essential infrastructure and public services. Showunmi concluded by stressing the importance of preparing Northern Nigerians to benefit from any economic opportunities that may arise from these reforms.