Ahead of the 2027 general elections, key northern stakeholders under the banners of the Northern Elders Forum (NEF) and the National Political Consultative Group (NPCG) have begun moves to build a united political front for the region. As part of this initiative, plans are underway to convene a Northern Unity Summit in early 2026.
According to the organizers, the summit will bring together traditional rulers, religious leaders, and political figures from across the 19 northern states to promote regional unity and collective action reminiscent of the inclusive leadership style of the late Premier of the Northern Region, Sir Ahmadu Bello.
Speaking at an expanded NPCG meeting held on Saturday in Abuja, the Director General of the Northern Elders Forum, Professor Doknan Sheni, said the first step toward restoring the North’s political strength lies in addressing both internal and external forces behind its disunity.
Delivering his address themed “The Imperative of Northern Unity Ahead of 2027 Elections,” Prof. Sheni cautioned that unless identity-related issues are properly managed, the North — and Nigeria as a whole — may continue to experience deepening ethnic and religious divisions.
He stressed the need for massive voter enlightenment campaigns ahead of the polls, urging leaders to reorient citizens toward ideology, credible party manifestos, and leadership principles rather than ethnic or emotional sentiments.
> “If the North is to prepare and unite for the 2027 elections, there must be widespread enlightenment among the electorate so that citizens vote based on ideology, principles, and manifestos — not on sentiments,” Sheni said.
“INEC must also train its ad hoc staff on how to use voting gadgets, build public confidence in its processes, and ensure transparency in election result transmission.”
Calling for a Northern Leaders’ Summit in the first quarter of 2026, Prof. Sheni proposed that the event should harmonize ideas and produce a Northern Development Blueprint, with each state contributing to a shared vision for political and economic progress.
> “For the North to unite ahead of 2027, there should be a summit of northern leaders in the first quarter of 2026 to harmonize ideas and address key factors influencing election patterns — particularly religion and ethnicity,” he added.
He further warned that external political actors might seek to exploit divisions within the region for personal or partisan gain, urging northern leaders to close ranks and minimize internal conflicts.
> “If we allow our differences to be exploited by politicians outside the region, we risk remaining divided permanently. We must treat one another with respect and justice to overcome the causes of our disunity,” he emphasized.
Prof. Sheni noted that a cohesive political front would strengthen the North’s position in negotiating fair representation, influencing national policies, and ensuring equitable resource and power-sharing.
He also highlighted persistent security challenges — including terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, and farmer-herder conflicts — as issues that require coordinated regional strategies.
> “The Northern States Governors’ Forum, Northern Elders Forum, Arewa Consultative Forum, and traditional institutions must align their approaches to enhance regional security and development,” he said.
In addition, he advocated for renewed investment efforts through initiatives such as the Northern Nigeria Investment and Industrialization Summit (NNIIS) to foster public-private partnerships, reduce unemployment, and curb youth restiveness.
> “If effectively implemented, such initiatives will greatly reduce unemployment and youth restiveness. Grassroots mobilization through youth and civil society organizations should also be encouraged to raise awareness of common challenges and demand better governance,” he concluded.
