Former Senate President and interim National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), David Mark, has said the major problems facing Northern Nigeria—poverty, insecurity, and underdevelopment are self-inflicted.
He made this statement in Abuja on Saturday while delivering a keynote address titled “Unity and Social Cohesion as a Panacea to the Challenges Facing Northern Nigeria” at the 3rd Expanded Meeting of the Northern Political Consultative Group (NPCG).
Mark said Northern leaders must stop blaming others and take responsibility for the region’s backwardness. “We must first admit that we are the architects of our problems. We must stop the blame game if we truly want a lasting solution,” he stated.
The NPCG meeting brought together Northern political leaders and stakeholders to discuss ways of building unity and forming a strong, collective voice within the national political space.
According to Mark, Northern Nigeria has abundant resources, fertile land, and a rich history, but continues to suffer from insecurity, poverty, ethnic and religious tensions, and poor infrastructure. He said political division, leadership failure, and the exploitation of ethnic and religious differences by elites have worsened the region’s woes.
“This is not the North we inherited,” he said. “Too many of our leaders focus on personal gain, using religion and ethnicity to win elections, only to leave the people divided and neglected.”
He also condemned the rise in banditry, insurgency, and communal clashes across the region, saying the North used to be the most peaceful part of Nigeria. “Today, we are bleeding. Only we can heal ourselves,” he added.
Mark called for investment in education, youth empowerment, agriculture, and community policing, insisting that unity and justice must guide appointments, resource sharing, and governance. He urged Northerners to reject hate speech and build bridges across ethnic and religious lines.
“The major cause of division is the feeling of marginalisation. If we promote fairness and equal opportunities, we will have peace,” he said.
Mark concluded by saying the African Democratic Congress (ADC) offers a new kind of politics—focused on service, not manipulation. He urged the North to lead the charge for peace, development, and national unity, reminding leaders that “the future of the region lies in our hands.”
