Lack Of Visionary Leadership In APC, PDP Resulted In Poverty, Insecurity Shekarau/Vop

ABUJA – Senator Ibrahim Shekarau-led League of Northern Democrats (LND) on Sunday revealed that it is wooing like-minded politicians from the South to enable it create League of National Democrats (LND) and transform it into a registered political party, ostensibly to dislodge the All Progressives Congress from Aso Rock in 2027.

The group, which stated this on Sun­day, also said the All Progressives Con­gress (APC), the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the Labour Party (LP), the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) and other political parties in the country have failed the nation.

The LND noted that the PDP and APC have consistently pro­duced leaders more interested in consolidating power than address­ing the socio-economic realities of Nigerians, adding that this trajec­tory has resulted in deepening poverty, heightened insecurity, eroded public trust and a national psyche weighed down by despair and cynicism.

The LND, in a statement by its Convener, Dr. Umar Ardo, entitled ‘Towards a Credible Change: A Call for the Formation of League of National Democrats,’ said that Nigeria’s progress demands a radical departure from the failing paradigm.

The League said that the pro­found issues confronting Nige­ria- endemic poverty, insecurity, inequality, institutional decay, corruption and socio-economic stagnation, all on account of poor governance – demand urgent and strategic action.

“This clarion call resonates deeply with the aspirations of many Nigerians yearning for a break from the vicious cycle of in­effectual governance of the PDP and APC, and especially among Northerners.

“In response to this demand, some critical and credible elite in the North came up with the League of Northern Democrats (LND) as the most viable alterna­tive political platform, offering a pathway to national redemption. Rooted in democratic values and committed to institutional renew­al, the LND represents a beacon of hope for a country at the cross­roads of decline and resurgence.

“The strategic approach is to instigate similar process in the South that we ultimately merge with to create League of National Democrats (LND) and transform it into a registered political party.

“The PDP and APC, along with other existing political parties, have not only failed to address Ni­geria’s fundamental challenges, but they have over the years not shown sign or intention to ever do so,” LND said.

Berating the APC and PDP fur­ther, LND said that their “methods of governance have throughout been marked by absence of patri­otism and sacrifice.

“The two parties, since their inceptions, have become more entrenched in self service and dishonesty in leadership, partic­ularly since after the Obasanjo presidency.”

Listing further the problems bedeviling the parties, LND said, “These parties have become in­struments of imposition, where leadership selection is driven by personal ambition and manipu­lation, rather than merit or dem­ocratic consensus.

“Their internal systems re­ward loyalty over competence, perpetuating governance that prioritises patronage over public interest.

“Both parties have consistently produced leaders more interested in consolidating power than ad­dressing the socio-economic real­ities of Nigerians.

“This trajectory has resulted in deepening poverty, heightened insecurity, eroded public trust and a national psyche weighed down by despair and cynicism. Clearly, Nigeria’s progress demands a radical departure from this failing paradigm.”

LND further said: “The League of National Democrats as a registered political entity of­fers an innovative, inclusive and forward-thinking approach to re­building Nigeria’s political system. Its guiding principles and strategic orientation will uniquely position it to deliver the credible change Nigerians desperately seek.

“Unlike the PDP and APC, the LND’s foundation will be committed to restoring patriotism, honesty and democratic values in the pol­ity. Leadership selection within the LND will be predicated on merit, transparency and robust compe­tition. By institutionalising these values, the LND will ensure that only leaders with the patriotism, honesty, competence and integrity to serve the nation emerge at every level of governance.”