Segun Showunmi, a member of the Presidential Campaign’s Media and Communications Community, attributed the North-Central’s inability to produce Nigeria’s elected president to disunity and a poor understanding of the country’s political dynamics.
Mr Showunmi stated this while briefing journalists in Makurdi, stressing the need for unity of purpose, peaceful political engagement and sustained commitment to development.
He said the region needed to mobilise substantial votes to strengthen its bargaining power and advance its presidential aspiration.
According to him, Benue, with 3.05 million registered voters, can make a significant contribution to the region’s political ambitions if its electorate is effectively mobilised.
“What has always been the challenge is, one, lack of unity among the people of North-Central; two, their inability to read the political arithmetic of power,” he said.
Mr Showunmi, also the national convener of the Alternative Movement, argued that political power in a democracy is secured through votes and strategic negotiations, not military intervention.
“If you have 3.05 million votes and you bring about three million or 2.5 million votes, what would then be the reason why they will sidestep you?” he asked.
He urged the people of Benue to close ranks, avoid unnecessary political disagreements and work together to strengthen the state’s influence in national affairs.
Mr Showunmi said the international community had increasingly focused attention on Benue because of the security challenges and humanitarian conditions affecting the state.
He urged the region to use the attention to demonstrate its capacity for unity, effective leadership and constructive engagement.
On the national economy, Mr Showunmi defended the Tinubu administration’s economic reforms, saying they were designed to address structural weaknesses in public finance.
He acknowledged that the reforms had imposed hardship on citizens but argued that increased revenue available to the federal, state and local governments could stimulate economic activities.
(NAN)