Buba Galadima has said Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi has pledged to involve northern leaders and stakeholders in addressing key challenges facing Northern Nigeria if elected president.
Speaking during an interview on Arise News, Galadima said his discussions with Obi focused on three major issues affecting the region—insecurity, agriculture, and education.
According to Galadima, Obi acknowledged that tackling these longstanding challenges would require collaboration with people who have firsthand knowledge of the region and its unique circumstances.
Quoting Obi’s commitment, Galadima said: “Obi has agreed that if he becomes the president of Nigeria, he will not only as a person address these three key issues but he will also make us part of those who will work on these issues.”
He said Obi’s approach is based on inclusive governance, with northern stakeholders participating in the development and implementation of policies aimed at improving security, boosting agricultural productivity, and strengthening the education sector.
Galadima added that those supporting Obi’s presidential ambition are prepared to share responsibility for the success or failure of efforts to improve conditions in the North.
He also criticised opposition to the proposed Obi-Kwankwaso presidential ticket on ethnic grounds, arguing that some members of both the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and opposition parties have portrayed support for Obi as being driven by ethnicity rather than a commitment to solving Nigeria’s challenges.
To support his argument, Galadima recalled that former Vice President Atiku Abubakar previously selected Obi as his running mate in a presidential election. He also noted that Atiku had worked closely with other prominent South-East politicians, including Ben Obi and Ifeanyi Okowa, questioning why some of Atiku’s supporters now criticise others for supporting an Igbo presidential candidate.
Galadima maintained that political choices should be guided by competence, national unity, and the ability to address the country’s challenges rather than ethnic identity. He expressed confidence that broader regional cooperation would be essential to achieving meaningful progress if Obi is elected president.
