In a candid interview on Arise TV From 5:12, a Chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party, Ladan Salihu expressed concern over the perceived lack of inclusivity in the formation of the Patriots, a new socio-political group spearheaded by Chief Emeka Anyaoku.
Salihu emphasized the absence of notable Northern Nigerian Elders, statesmen, and opinion leaders within the organization, which was initially founded by the late Chief Rotimi Williams.
He argued that the omission of key figures from the Northern region indicates a narrow, sectional perspective within the Patriots, which undermines the group’s proclaimed values of patriotism and nationhood.
Salihu suggested that the Patriots should have reached out to and engaged with a more diverse range of influential Nigerians, ensuring a more balanced and representative group that genuinely reflects the nation’s complexity and diversity.
According to Ladan Salihu, “When Chief Rotimi Williams of blessed memory founded the patriots and the baton is now handed over to Chief Emeka Anyaoku, one would have expected that they would have reached out to the Northern part of the country. We have Elders, we have statesmen, we have opinion leaders, they are around. One would have expected to see some of these notable Northern Nigerians within the rank and file of the patriots. So, it would appear to me that they went with a sectional voice, that is ab-initio short circuited in terms of patriotism and nationhood.”….Vìêw–Morê