Regional Sentiments Are Not the Solution -By Umar Babangida

It gladdened me to see how the APC is tearing itself apart and the eruption of chaos in Gombe State. But I was irked by the reactions of many people from the Northeast, who tried to paint the issue as a Northwest versus Northeast matter. I fail to understand when the internal crisis of one political party became a regional issue—especially a party that has inflicted hunger, insecurity, hardship, and suffering on the people.

The rise of regional politics in the North will not only be harmful but will further stagnate the region, worsening its already dire situation. The North is already far behind, facing the worst marginalisation in the histtory of Nigeria’s democracy. Yet, certain political elites are exploiting our divisions for their selfish gain—and, sadly, our people are dancing to their tune.
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Now, consider the current Vice President from the Northeast: what benefits have the people of the region received? Are they enjoying any special treatment compared to the Northwest or North Central? Is there no hunger, insecurity, or hardship in the Northeast just because the Vice President hails from there? In fact, Nigeria has never had a more inactive Vice President. He has never once acted as President, no matter how long the President is out of the country. It is clear he is sidelined and not trusted by his principal. This is unprecedented.

He once called former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo an “ice cream seller”—yet Osinbajo frequently acted as President when Buhari was away. Now, people are mocking him by calling him a “pure water seller” due to how sidelined and powerless he is.

People from the Northeast should not allow themselves to be misled by the APC. A vibrant opposition leader and formidable presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, commands support not just in the North but across the entire country. In fact, I have never, even once—and I stand to be corrected—heard anyone in the North accuse Atiku of being biased simply because he is from the Northeast. He arguably has more support in the Northwest than in his own subregion.

So, I ask: what’s more important—having a president or vice president from your region, or electing leaders who will truly serve the people?

Whether to continue with Kashim or dump him is the APC’s political calculation. But let this not be what drives you to support them blindly. If anything, it should strengthen your resolve to vote them out, instead of resorting to tribal or regional politics.

It is frightening to think that some may vote for APC simply because their running mate is from their region. You have lost your conscience if, in the 21st century, you still support those who have brought nothing but hunger, suffering, and insecurity—just because of ethnic or regional sentiment.

If you want proof that having a president from your state means nothing for development, ask the people of Katsina. There was never a time they experienced more poverty and insecurity than when their own son was Nigeria’s president.

UMAR BABANGIDA WRITES FROM KATSINA STATE AND CAN BE REACHED VIA: omarbangees@gmail.com.