Usman Okai-Austin, a political activist and former Peoples Democratic Party’s House of Representatives candidate for Dekina/Bassa Federal Constituency in the 2023 elections, has claimed that many northern leaders are using the region’s name to advance their personal political interests rather than genuinely representing its people.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with DAILY POST on Thursday, Okai-Austin revealed that nobody is speaking on behalf of the North yet.
According to him, people are hiding in the name of the North to push their own agenda.
He argued that the perceived division in northern Nigeria over political matters, including the 2027 presidential race, is largely overstated.
“The North has not taken any decision yet. Before we can say it is divided, there has not been any united force or collaborative decision from the North,” he said.
Okai-Austin also touched on past political moves, saying some leaders previously promoted certain candidates or policies for personal gain.
“When Buhari wanted to leave, there was an attempt for the North to produce the next president. Some pushed for former Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, while others like El-Rufai insisted the South should have its turn for national unity. These actions were driven by individual ambitions,” he explained.
“El-Rufai also promoted the Muslim-Muslim ticket, claiming it worked because of its implementation in Kaduna. Many believed he was aiming for the vice presidency, but when that didn’t materialize, he was nominated for a ministerial position. However, after being challenged by a petition from Senator Kahinde concerning national security, the alliance fell apart,” he added.
“That is how they fell apart, with El-Rufai admitting that Nuhu Ribadu does not want anyone from the North to succeed because of his 2031 ambition. According to El-Rufai, anyone from the North who shows promise is likely to be undermined by Ribadu, as he is eyeing the 2031 presidency.”
He noted that northern citizens continue to face pressing challenges, including insecurity, unemployment, out-of-school children, and poverty, adding that leaders should prioritize addressing these issues.
“It’s a region that demands comfort and special attention. But instead of focusing on these problems, some leaders exploit the North for personal political gains,” Okai-Austin said.
