The Nigeria Democratic Congress vice-presidential candidate, Rabiu Kwankwaso, has said leaders in Northern Nigeria have resolved to forgive the South-East and strengthen political cooperation with the region, stressing that national unity must take precedence over historical divisions.
Kwankwaso made the remarks during an interview with BBC Igbo, where he reflected on Nigeria’s political history and the relationship between the North and the South-East after the civil war.
According to the former Kano State governor, Northern political leaders had, over the years, demonstrated a willingness to work with the South-East, citing alliances formed during the First and Second Republics.
“We have to forgive ourselves and work together as one family. The South-East has been our ally and friend over the years. During the time of our fathers in politics, the Northern Peoples Congress formed an alliance with the National Council of Nigerian Citizens led by Nnamdi Azikiwe,” he said.
Kwankwaso recalled that after the civil war ended in 1970, political leaders embraced reconciliation rather than division.
“Even in the Second Republic, you could see our leaders, Shagari and co went for the South-East. So our leaders had foresight. The civil war finished in 1970.
“When democracy came back, the first thing they said is, ‘Look, they are not our enemies, let’s work together.’ Our leaders of the First Republic worked together with them and that was how they brought Alex Ekwueme to be the Vice President,” he said.
He described the late former Vice President, Alex Ekwueme, as a trusted ally of the North, recalling his attendance at Ekwueme’s burial in Anambra State.
“People were happy until he died. In fact, I went to his hometown during Ekwueme’s burial and throughout his life he has been our friend. It’s only that democracy was truncated,” he added.
Kwankwaso also cited the return of former Biafran leader, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, from exile as another example of reconciliation, noting that the National Party of Nigeria facilitated his return to participate in politics.
“For those who forgot or didn’t know, let me remind them that the NPN, a Northern party, had to invite Ojukwu to come back. He came back, contested the seat of Senate and lost the election. But despite the fact that he was the leader of Biafra at that particular time, our leaders decided to forgive themselves and forge ahead,” he said.
He maintained that political cooperation should not be based on religion or ethnicity, stressing that all regions of the country must work together.
“We can’t be in the same country and start fighting. We need to have the spirit of forgiveness, so I’m happy that we in the North have decided to go back to history and work with the South-East.
“That does not mean that we are fighting the South-West or any zone in this country. We are all friends. You can’t play politics of Muslim-Christian, North or South, not at this level,” Kwankwaso said.