By Ahmed Akanbi

Prominent politician and Peoples Redemption Party, PRP, chieftain, Datti Baba-Ahmed, has raised concerns over what he described as a culture of silence among many Northern communities on key governance challenges, especially insecurity.

Speaking during a televised interview, Baba-Ahmed said despite bearing the brunt of insurgency, banditry and other security threats, many people in the North have remained reluctant to publicly challenge government policies or demand accountability.

According to him, cultural and traditional values have contributed to a tendency toward restraint and patience in the region, even amid prolonged hardship.

He contrasted this with parts of the country, particularly the South-West, where citizens more openly engage in civic advocacy and public criticism of government actions.

The PRP stalwart noted that issues such as insecurity, economic hardship, exchange rate instability, and electricity tariffs often provoke strong reactions in some regions, while similar concerns in the North rarely translate into sustained public agitation.

Baba-Ahmed, who identified himself as a proud Northerner and Muslim, said people of the region are generally peaceful and reserved.

However, he stressed that this disposition should not prevent citizens from speaking out on matters affecting their welfare and security.

He observed that while Northerners may respond strongly to issues touching on religion, ethnicity, or communal identity, there is often less public mobilisation around governance-related concerns, including the persistent security challenges confronting the region.

The former vice-presidential candidate urged Northern communities to match their resilience with active civic engagement to hold leaders accountable and drive policy change.