According to a report by The Sun News, on Saturday, August 1, 2026, elder statesman and Professor of Theology and Social Ethics, Prof. Yusuf Turaki, reiterated that the geographical North should not be regarded as a single political bloc.
Speaking during an interview with Vincent Kalu, he argued that some individuals who claim to speak for the entire region ignore its ethnic, religious and cultural diversity.
According to him, the North is made up of different groups with varying interests, making it inaccurate to treat the region as politically uniform.
Turaki, a prominent Middle Belt leader, further stated that those who continue to describe the geographical North as one united political entity are promoting a system that encourages domination, imposition and subordination.
He maintained that such a narrative overlooks the realities on the ground and fails to recognise the unique identities and aspirations of the different communities across the region.
The professor also criticised the way Sharia law is implemented in parts of Northern Nigeria.
He claimed that the poor and non-Muslims have frequently borne the consequences of what he described as selective and unequal enforcement of the law.
According to him, justice should be applied fairly without discrimination based on religion or social status.
Speaking on Nigeria’s broader challenges, Turaki said one of the country’s biggest shortcomings is the absence of a national ethical framework.
He explained that Nigeria has yet to establish a shared set of values, standards, principles and codes of conduct capable of guiding the attitudes and behaviour of all citizens, irrespective of their ethnic, religious or regional backgrounds.
He argued that instead of promoting common national values, the country remains heavily influenced by competing ethnic, religious, regional and cultural interests.
These divisions, he noted, continue to shape public life and have made it difficult to build a stronger sense of national unity and collective responsibility.
Turaki further stressed that Nigeria is naturally a multi-ethnic, multi-religious, multi-regional and multicultural society.
He said political representation and broad participation remain the best principles for promoting peaceful coexistence and national cohesion.
He added that discussions surrounding power sharing are often influenced more by population figures and political calculations than by religion alone.
He recalled the presidential ticket of the late Chief M.K.O. Abiola and Babagana Kingibe, as well as the military leadership of Muhammadu Buhari and Tunde Idiagbon, noting that religion did not dominate public debate during those periods.
However, he said the Muslim-Muslim ticket of President Bola Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima generated stronger reactions because many Nigerians viewed it as a question of inclusion and representation.
He said, “Some Muslims in the geographical north felt that the ticket was a ploy. Its goal and objectives were not met…….See More
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