Former presidential candidate of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd) met with the former Governor of Sokoto state Alhaji Attahiru Bafarawa in Kaduna weekend to discussed a number of issues and problems bedeviling North with a view to proffering workable solution on how best to surmount the problems so identified. They were, in particular, worried with the declining security and economic development of the region.
The meeting which was held behind closed door for hours are bordered on political changes, socio-economical matters and security among others.
Bafarawa who arrived General Buhari’s residence around 1:00 pm was ushered immediately for the meeting with General Buhari, according to the sources closed to the house.
Answering reporters’ question after the meeting, former Governor Bafarawa described his trip to Kaduna as a ‘brotherly’ visit to General Buhari for discussion on some urgent matters of national importance that needed elderly and sincere advise on the way forward.
Bafarawa also disclosed that he did not meet Buhari as a politician or on behalf of any political interest group, rather as a brother who wanted to discuss matters affecting his region and country.
“It is quite alarming the rate at which unemployment, illiteracy, poverty, insecurity are bedeviling North particularly now. Therefore, it is important to tell ourselves the truth and unite so as to bring back the region on the right track” Said Bafarawa.
He said that at this critical state the North found itself, no sacrifice is too much in any attempt to salvage it. He equally called on Northern leaders to stop playing politics with the future of the region, as that could only sink the region into backwardness and ridicule it from other sections of the country that have already moved forward in many sectors.
Bafarawa called on northern politicians to be more committed in the development and future of their people not being antagonists of the rightful approaches on building new North devoid of religious and tribalistic differences.
He said there were still windows of opportunity for the politicians and stakeholders of Northern region to unite together and put selfishness aside in order to bring back the lost glory of the region and the nation in general.
He said, “We can not wait for anybody to come and help us overcome our present predicament. Our house is in tattered situation, it is reprehensive to shun our responsibility of ensuring truthful solution to the survival of our people. We need commitment and trust in a united ways to re-construct those factors that break our unity, stability, political cohesion and progress so that it can become solid again”
Bafarawa warned some northern politicians that are hiding under the name of the region in order to destabilize the progress and stability of the north to desist from doing so; afterall, they are simply doing so because they want to be recognized by certain group of people who see the region as threat to their ambition.
Bafarawa further said that the northern unity is non-negotiable and unless Northern leaders accept their failure and insensitive approach toward the improvement of yearning and aspirations of their people, the leaders are committing the same mistakes done to the region some years back and that there might not be second chance to solving the problem.
He described General Buhari as one of the finest and truthful leaders in the country whose consistent commitments and zeal toward sustaining justice and unity among Nigerians deserve commendation.
Finally, Bafarawa stated that his visit to Kaduna was in line with his open commitment to personally visit all stakeholders that matter in the region with a view to frankly dissecting the problems facing the North and Nigeria so that a realistic solutions be outlined on how to move forward.
Bafarawa was escorted to General Buhari’s residence by Hon. Yushau Mohammed Kebbe, former ANPP Gubernatorial candidate, Sokoto state and his media aide Malam Yusuf A. Dingyadi.