According to The Sun on Saturday, August 1, 2026, elder statesman and Professor of Theology and Social Ethics, Prof. Yusuf Turaki, says Northern Nigeria should not be viewed as a single political bloc due to its ethnic, religious and cultural diversity.
Speaking in an interview with Vincent Kalu, Turaki argued that portraying the North as politically united ignores the region’s complexities and promotes domination and exclusion. He also criticised the implementation of Sharia law in parts of the North, alleging that it has been applied selectively, often affecting the poor and non-Muslims disproportionately.
Turaki identified the absence of a shared national ethical framework as a major challenge facing Nigeria, saying competing ethnic, religious and regional interests continue to undermine national unity.
Reflecting on Nigeria’s political history, he noted that religion was not the dominant issue during the MKO Abiola-Babagana Kingibe ticket or the Muhammadu Buhari-Tunde Idiagbon military administration. However, he said the Muslim-Muslim ticket of President Bola Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima generated greater concerns over inclusion and representation.
He added, “Some Muslims in the geographical north felt that the ticket was a ploy. Its goal and objectives were not met.”
