Former Kano State governor, Ibrahim Shekarau, and his colleagues in the League of Northern Democrats, a pro-northern group initially focused on promoting good governance, have announced plans to transform into a political party.
The group has expressed a desire to evolve into the League of National Democrats, seeking support from like-minded individuals across Southern Nigeria.
According to a statement issued by LND Convener Dr. Umar Ardo in Abuja on Sunday, this transformation aims to build a political entity strong enough to break the long-standing dominance of the All Progressives Congress and the Peoples Democratic Party over Nigeria’s political landscape.
Dr. Ardo stated, “The PDP and APC, along with other existing political parties, have failed to address Nigeria’s fundamental challenges and have shown little intention of ever doing so. Their governance methods have been characterized by a lack of patriotism and sacrifice. These parties, especially after the Obasanjo presidency, have become instruments of imposition, driven by personal ambition and manipulation rather than merit or democratic consensus.”
He continued, “Their internal structures reward loyalty over competence, fostering governance that prioritizes patronage over public interest. Both parties have consistently produced leaders more concerned with consolidating power than addressing Nigeria’s socio-economic realities. This trajectory has led to deepening poverty, heightened insecurity, eroded public trust, and a national psyche burdened by despair.”
Dr. Ardo emphasized that Nigeria’s problems—ranging from poverty and insecurity to institutional decay, corruption, and socio-economic stagnation—are direct consequences of poor governance. He cited the recent call by former APC National Vice Chairman (North West), Salihu Lukman, for decisive action to address these issues as particularly timely.
“This clarion call resonates deeply with the aspirations of many Nigerians seeking a break from the ineffective governance of the PDP and APC, especially in the north,” Ardo said. “In response to this demand, critical and credible elites from the north formed the League of Northern Democrats (LND) as the most viable alternative political platform, offering a pathway to national redemption.”
Ardo further explained that the LND’s strategy involves initiating a similar process in the south, eventually leading to the creation of the League of National Democrats as a registered political party. The League of National Democrats, he said, will offer an innovative, inclusive, and forward-thinking approach to rebuilding Nigeria’s political system.
“Unlike the PDP and APC, the LND’s foundation will be committed to restoring patriotism, honesty, and democratic values in the polity. Its guiding principles and strategic orientation will uniquely position it to deliver the credible change Nigerians desperately seek,” Ardo added.
