A former governor of Kano State, Ibrahim Shekarau, is leading the northern elite to woo southern bigwigs for an alliance ahead of the 2027 general elections, Sunday PUNCH reports.
Sources said former President Olusegun Obasanjo and ex-Head of State, Yakubu Gowon, are among supporters of the group.
Our correspondents gathered that Shekarau, a leader of the League of Northern Democrats, had been discussing coalitions with political leaders in the South-West, South-East, and South-South.
The Convener of the LND, Dr Umar Ardo, had on January 5, declared the group’s readiness to transform into a political party, citing the need to create a unified and credible national political platform
According to Ardo, the LND plans to transform into the League of National Democrats to provide Nigerians with a viable alternative for leadership and governance.
“This new political platform seeks to provide a credible alternative by institutionalising meritocracy, promoting accountability, and ensuring the emergence of leaders with proven competence and integrity,” Ardo stated.
Sunday PUNCH gathered that Obasanjo and Gowon advised the group’s leaders to make it a national platform and incorporate southern politicians.
Obasanjo had late October 2024 urged the LND to consider changing its name to the National League of Democrats because the ideals the group espoused should cut across the nation.
The former president, who received the 20-member delegation of the LND led by Shekarau at his penthouse, inside Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library, Abeokuta, said he would not mind being the group’s patron.
“It is high time we began working for the national interest. Yes, you have identified your group as the League of Northern Democrats, but how I wish you call your group National League of Democrats, because where you come from should not be a problem,” he stated.
Umar Sani, a former spokesperson for ex-Vice President Namadi Sambo, who is a pioneer member of the LND, told Sunday PUNCH that both Obasanjo and Gowon were among the backers of the group.
Sani confirmed that Shekarau was leading discussions with prominent southern politicians.
He said, “We’re talking with some southern politicians, but I don’t know who they are. Shekarau and others are making the moves and doing the talking.
“But when we met Baba Obasanjo, he said the initiative should be made national. General Gowon also said it should be national, and other influential Nigerians gave similar advice.
“When we engaged politicians in the South-East, South-South, and South-West, they began suggesting that this movement be turned into a political party. While we were briefed in meetings, the leaders didn’t disclose the names of the southern politicians they were speaking to.”
Sani clarified that the LND had not yet been registered as a political party, as consultations were still ongoing.
The spokesperson for the group, Dr Ladan Salihu, said discussions were ongoing with southern leaders, including former governors, senators, and ministers.
According to him, even before they set out to approach the politicians, the LND had already been contacted by key political clusters from the South-East.
“We’ve been contacted by notable politicians from the South, especially from the South-East, who indicated plans to form the League of Southern Democrats.
“Similarly, respected politicians from the South-West have shown interest in joining the LND if it becomes a national platform, or they may even form the League of Western Democrats.
“This is a political metamorphosis that will culminate in the creation of what will eventually become the League of Nigerian Democrats,” he stated.
While declining to name southern politicians the LND leader had been in contact with, Salihu confirmed that the group was in regular communication with “respected southern leaders”.
“We are in constant, almost daily contact with them because they share our vision of rescuing Nigeria. This is not just a rhetorical platform; it’s a serious movement based on real action,” he stated.
