Northern governors: We must act now or lose North over insecurity, poverty

From Noah Ebije, Kaduna

Northern governors on Monday challenged themselves, traditional rulers, and other leaders in the region to act urgently to free the North from terrorism and insecurity.

“Future generations will remember us not by the number of projects we commissioned, but by whether we bequeath to them a Northern Nigeria they can truly call home,” Yahaya said.

He expressed gratitude to President Tinubu for his “strong leadership and steadfast commitment to Nigeria’s security, sovereignty and territorial integrity.”

At the joint meeting of the Northern States Governors’ Forum (NSGF) and the Northern Traditional Rulers Council, Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State, chair of the Forum, warned that the region faces “the grim reality of insecurity and poverty that seeks to undermine our very existence.”

The two-day summit, held at Kaduna State Government House, brought together 19 governors, dozens of traditional rulers, security chiefs, and civil society representatives to chart a coordinated response to a security crisis which Yahaya said had “escalated from a localised challenge to a national and existential threat.”

Yahaya extended condolences to families of schoolchildren abducted in Kebbi, Kwara, Kogi, Kano, Niger and Sokoto, and to victims of Boko Haram attacks in Borno and Yobe.

He praised President Bola Tinubu for “leaving no stone unturned” to secure the release of some abducted children and called for continued efforts to free those still held.

“Education is the bedrock of our children’s future,” he said. “An attack on education is a direct assault on our future.”

He warned that insecurity “spares no one, consumes poor and rich, Muslims and Christians, young and old”.

He urged an end to partisan politics and “concerted action to ensure the survival of the North and Nigeria at large.”

“We must not allow our enemies to sow discord and distrust amongst us,” Yahaya said, calling for the rejection of divisive narratives.

Yahaya identified underdevelopment, illiteracy, lack of opportunity, climate change, and poor resource management as underlying drivers of crisis.

He placed the plight of millions of Almajiri and out-of-school children at the top of the agenda, demanding “decisive and coordinated action to put every child in school.”

Reiterating the 10 May 2025 communiqué, the forum reaffirmed support for state police reform as “a critical and effective mechanism to tackle present security challenges.”

The governors urged the National Assembly to fast-track constitutional amendments needed for state police.
Traditional rulers were asked to act as “stabilisers”, deploying their moral authority, while religious leaders were called to promote tolerance and shun incitement.

Political leaders were warned not to exploit ethnic or religious divisions for political gain.

Security agencies were urged to maintain proactive vigilance and swift intervention, and the judiciary to ensure rapid criminal justice administration.

The governors made a joint declaration pledging “collective resolve to work closely with the Federal Government under President Tinubu to turn the tide and ensure lasting peace and stability for our region and the nation at large.”