Northern Nigeria in dire straits, only ADC can unite Nigeria – David Mark

Former Senate President and Interim Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), David Mark, has sounded a warning over the deteriorating state of Northern Nigeria, describing the region as being in “dire straits.” He stressed that only bold, united action can halt the steady decline.

Speaking at the 3rd expanded meeting of the National Political Consultative Group (North), held at the Abuja Continental Hotel, Mark also endorsed the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as the only party equipped with the vision and determination to tackle the region’s deepening crises.

The meeting drew political leaders, party members, and supporters from across the country, centered around the theme: “Unity and Social Cohesion as Panacea to the Challenges Facing Northern Nigeria.”

Mark painted a sobering picture of Northern Nigeria, highlighting rampant insecurity, escalating poverty, and growing social disintegration.

“These challenges didn’t arise overnight, and they won’t disappear until we take deliberate, collective, and decisive steps,” he said. “We must accept responsibility—we are the architects of our own problems. If we are truly serious about finding lasting solutions, we must stop the blame game.”

The former Senate President warned that disunity and political apathy have only worsened the situation. He urged a return to the region’s founding values—justice, equity, mutual respect, and shared purpose—which once made the North a symbol of peace and development.

“Division has robbed us of progress. Indifference and inaction have deepened our disunity,” Mark said. “The time for lamentation is over. The North is bleeding profusely, and only we can heal it.”

He called on Northern leaders and citizens alike to reject hate speech, end divisive politics, and instead invest in unifying initiatives such as education, healthcare, and infrastructure. “Let’s hold ourselves accountable and reach across ethnic and religious divides to restore the bond of brotherhood.”

Mark also expressed concern over the human and economic toll of over a decade of violence, including insurgency, banditry, and communal clashes, which have displaced millions and crippled rural communities.

Despite its vast natural and human resources, he noted, the North remains trapped in poverty—with some of the worst national indicators in education, unemployment, and infrastructure.

Still, he expressed optimism: “If we commit to unity and purposeful leadership, I believe Northern Nigeria can become not just a region of peace and cohesion, but a hub of economic prosperity and innovation.”