Al-Mustapha, Former CSO to Abacha, Expresses Concerns Over Leadership Failures, Warns That Rebuilding the North Could Harm Communities

Major Hamza Al-Mustapha, the former Chief Security Officer to the late General Sani Abacha, has sounded a passionate call for the northern region of Nigeria to reclaim its lost glory and forge a path toward unity and progress.

Speaking to journalists at a memorial event for Sardauna Ahmadu Bello, the Premier of Northern Nigeria, organized by the Rebuild AREWA Initiative for Development (RAI4D) in Kaduna on Thursday, Al-Mustapha voiced his concerns about the deep-rooted challenges facing the North and the necessity of urgent action.

According to Al-Mustapha, the region cannot afford to sit idly by as it deteriorates. He emphasized that rebuilding the North would require tough decisions and sacrifices, acknowledging that, in the process, they would “hurt people.”

However, he argued that such actions are essential to steer the North back on track and secure its future, with the ultimate goal of benefiting the entire nation.

“Our institutions in the 19 Northern states are either weak or non-existent, and we see the social ills that come with it,” Al-Mustapha said, lamenting the rise in crime and the decay of institutions.

“We cannot continue to ignore the state of affairs. The youth are disarrayed, crime rates are soaring, and we are seeing nothing but shame.”

He called for a process of healing, acknowledging that the road to recovery will be painful, but necessary. “When wounds get bad, there must be pain during the healing process,” he explained. “We are not here to mince words; we are here to awaken the leadership and the younger generation to take action.”

Al-Mustapha’s comments highlight his belief that the North’s challenges—ranging from poverty to insecurity—are deeply intertwined with the failure of its leadership. He accused incumbent leaders of being directionless, indifferent to the welfare of their people, and failing to prioritize crucial issues like education, security, and economic development.

“There is no joint central fund for educational development in the North. There is no real program for industrial growth, loans to the poor, or poverty alleviation,” Al-Mustapha lamented. “It’s shameful to see the traces of poverty everywhere. I am a Northerner, and that’s deeply embarrassing.”

In his vision for the region, Al-Mustapha underscored the need for unity—both among leaders and the people of the North. He expressed his commitment to this cause, mentioning plans for further meetings, including one in Bauchi scheduled for February 22nd. These gatherings are intended to rally vibrant associations and leaders to take action toward healing the North’s divisions.

Al-Mustapha’s message was clear: the time for complacency is over. He urged for leadership that is committed to action, not one that merely enjoys the trappings of power without taking responsibility. He expressed his sympathy for the events of January 15th, 1966, when Sardauna Ahmadu Bello was assassinated, and reflected on the plight of the ordinary people in the North and across Nigeria.

“Though it may be bitter for some to hear, the truth remains that the North cannot continue down this path,” Al-Mustapha concluded. “We need leadership that matters, not those who shy away from responsibility.”