By Peter Omopo
As political alignments intensify ahead of the 2027 general elections, the Northern Elders Forum (NEF) and the National Political Consultative Group (NPCG) have begun moves to convene a high-level regional summit aimed at forging a unified voting pattern and restoring political cohesion across the 19 northern states.
The proposed summit, slated for early 2026, will bring together traditional rulers, religious leaders, political figures, and community stakeholders to deliberate on the North’s collective interests and redefine its role in national politics.
Speaking at an expanded consultative meeting in Abuja on Saturday, the Director-General of the Northern Elders Forum, Prof. Doknan Sheni, said the time had come for the region to address its growing internal divisions and reawaken the spirit of unity once symbolised by the late Premier of Northern Nigeria, Sir Ahmadu Bello.
“If the North is to prepare and unite for the 2027 election, there must be massive enlightenment programmes among the electorate so that citizens vote based on ideology, principles, and real manifestos of parties and candidates — not sentiments,” Sheni said.
He warned that the region’s security challenges, unemployment, underdevelopment, and ethno-religious divisions were eroding its strength and must be tackled through coordinated political and social reforms.
Sheni further proposed that the upcoming northern leaders’ summit serve as a platform to harmonise ideas and draft a regional development blueprint ahead of the elections.
“The two major factors influencing election outcomes — religion and ethnicity — must be addressed at that summit. Without unity, the North will continue to be exploited by external political forces,” he added.
The NEF boss cautioned that external political actors were taking advantage of divisions within the region, urging leaders to close ranks and foster mutual respect and justice.
“The Northern Governors’ Forum, Northern Elders’ Forum, Arewa Consultative Forum, and traditional rulers’ councils must align their strategies for regional security and development,” Sheni stressed.
Political observers see the move as part of a broader effort by northern leaders to reclaim their historical political influence and strengthen the region’s bargaining power ahead of what many analysts predict will be one of Nigeria’s most competitive elections.
In the 2023 presidential election, the North-West region alone contributed a substantial share of the votes that helped deliver victory to President Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who polled 8,794,726 votes to defeat Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (6,984,520) and Peter Obi of the Labour Party (6,101,533).
However, both Atiku and Obi later rejected the results, alleging vote suppression, violence, and electoral malpractice.
The planned 2026 summit is therefore seen as a strategic recalibration for the North — a bid to transform its electoral strength into a more coordinated and development-driven political agenda ahead of 2027.
