The presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in the 2023 elections, Prince Adewole Adebayo, on Tuesday visited the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) in Abuja, where he called for renewed national unity, accountable governance, and the rise of a new generation of leaders dedicated to service and nation-building.
Adebayo praised the ACF for its longstanding role as a “fallback institution” in moments when governance fails, noting that the organization has continued to serve as a stabilizing force in Nigeria’s democratic evolution.
“The reason why we are here today is not because of politics,” he said. “We have come here simply as patriots—as Nigerians who want to have certain conversations before partisanship takes over.”
The SDP leader emphasized the North’s central role in sustaining Nigeria’s unity and urged a return to national development planning that transcends party divisions.
“Northern Nigeria is not for foreigners alone; it is the crown jewel of the Nigerian state,” Adebayo stated. “There’s no reverse gear in the vehicle of Nigeria. The conversation should go beyond division—let’s have lines of different ideas on governance,” he said.
Adebayo further called for the empowerment of young leaders who will place national interest above ethnic or regional considerations.
“The politics we will do will leave no one behind; it won’t be based on origin but on accountability,” he added.
In his response, Alhaji Bashir Muhammed Dalhatu, chairman of the ACF Board of Trustees, commended Adebayo’s vision and patriotism, reaffirming the Forum’s commitment to national dialogue and cooperation.
“No group alone can solve Nigeria’s problems,” Dalhatu said. “We must cooperate with those who can assist the country.”
The visit came ahead of the ACF’s 25th anniversary celebration in Kaduna, where discussions on unity, development, and inter-regional collaboration are expected to continue.
