As political jockeying intensifies across the country, a prominent Northern group has accused the Federal Government of sidelining the region and has unveiled a detailed strategy to reclaim what it calls the North’s “rightful place” in national affairs ahead of the 2027 general elections. The Arewa Defence League (ADL), following a roundtable at the historic Arewa House in Kaduna, issued a communiqué that serves as both a list of grievances and a declaration of intent.

In a statement signed by its President, Murtala Abubakar, the ADL lamented what it described as a consistent pattern of political exclusion, economic neglect, and infrastructural deficit in the North under successive federal governments. “The suffering of our people has become unbearable,” the group said, pointing to worsening insecurity, a crumbling economy, and the erosion of the principle of federal character in key appointments. The group’s complaints align with those of other Northern political bodies, including the Northern Ethnic Nationality Forum (NENF), which recently warned against a repeat of the Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket in 2027.

To counter this perceived marginalisation, the ADL has laid out a three-pronged strategy for the coming years. First, it will compile a comprehensive “Charter of Northern Grievances,” which will document specific instances of lopsided appointments and resource allocation. This document, the group hopes, will be a powerful tool for advocacy and political negotiation.

Second, the group has committed to a massive grassroots voter education and civic mobilisation campaign. “We are committing ourselves to grassroots mobilisation so that our people can make informed choices in 2027 and beyond,” Abubakar said. “Our votes will no longer be taken for granted.” This move indicates a shift from traditional political endorsements to a more deliberate effort to engage the Northern electorate at a personal level.

Third, the ADL has announced plans to seek alliances with other regions in Nigeria to push for a more equitable federation. The move is a clear signal that the group does not intend to go it alone but sees its interests as aligned with those of other marginalized regions.

However, the ADL’s position is not without internal opposition. In a separate statement, Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State dismissed the claims of marginalisation as unfounded. He argued that the North is well-represented in the current administration, citing key appointments such as the Minister of Defence and the National Security Adviser. His comments highlight a significant fault line within the Northern political establishment, where some leaders see the solution in collaboration with the government, while others believe a more confrontational approach is necessary.

The unfolding political drama signals a new phase in Nigeria’s political landscape. The public airing of grievances and the strategic plans of groups like the ADL and NENF suggest that the North’s political future is far from settled. The outcome of this power struggle will not only shape the region’s destiny but could also be the deciding factor in the 2027 presidential election.