Alwan Hassan, a prominent chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has voiced strong concerns about the priorities of the federal government in Northern Nigeria, arguing that unity—not infrastructure—is the region’s most urgent need.
Speaking candidly during a political gathering, Hassan dismissed the idea that federal infrastructure projects could solve the region’s underlying issues. “We don’t need infrastructure from the federal government in the north. What we need in Northern Nigeria is unity, and they know it,” he declared.
According to Hassan, the root of Northern Nigeria’s challenges lies in religious and tribal divisions that have eroded social cohesion and political inclusivity across various states. “An Idoma man cannot be governor of Benue State. A Muslim in Plateau State cannot be speaker in the state assembly. A Christian minority in Borno State cannot be a governor,” he stated.
Highlighting the deep-seated ethnic and religious barriers, Hassan questioned whether a Christian from Kwara could ever emerge as governor, using the example to underscore what he described as systemic exclusion. “You are from Kwara and a Christian. Can you be a governor of Kwara State? These are our problems—religion and tribe,” he lamented.
The APC stalwart proposed a radical solution: forging a unified identity for the region. “Let there be one religion, one tribe—and that should be the Northern Nigeria. Let them unite us,” he emphasized.
Hassan also criticized what he perceived as federal overreach, asserting that national leaders should focus on fostering unity before demanding political or electoral allegiance from the region. “We, the federal government, will come asking us to give them,” he added, suggesting a lack of genuine engagement with the North’s sociopolitical realities.
His comments have stirred conversations across the political landscape, especially at a time when Nigeria continues to grapple with issues of national unity, equitable representation, and religious tolerance. While some view Hassan’s remarks as a call for much-needed reform, others warn against simplifying complex cultural dynamics.
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