KANO — A viral video featuring a young Northern woman delivering a blistering critique of her fellow Northerners has sent shockwaves through Nigeria’s political landscape. In the widely shared clip, the unidentified woman calls out her compatriots for what she describes as “gullibility” in their insistence on voting only for a Northern presidential candidate in the 2027 general elections.
The lady, speaking with visible passion, pointed to the region’s historical dominance of the presidency—holding power for roughly 75% of the time since independence in 1960—only to be left with “zero development.”
‘Leaders Have Failed Us’ — The Core Grievances
The woman’s viral message lists a catalog of failures attributed to past Northern leaders, which she claims have left the region in a state of emergency:
Widespread Insecurity: She highlighted the unchecked banditry and terrorism that have crippled farmlands and schools across the North.
Systemic Poverty: Despite producing the majority of Nigeria’s leaders, she lamented that the North remains the center of high poverty rates and beggars on the streets.
Decaying Infrastructure: The video decries the “weak healthcare system” and “poor education” that persist in the region while its elites flourish in Abuja.
Reactions and Regional Sentiment
The video has triggered a wave of polarized reactions across social media and within Northern political circles:
Supporters of the Message: Many young Northerners have echoed her sentiments, arguing that the region must stop “stomach politics” and begin voting for competence rather than ethnic identity. Activists like Shehu Sani have similarly accused Northern elites of exploiting insecurity to negotiate for power in 2027.
Defenders of Northern Power: Conversely, some groups, such as the Northern Elders Forum (NEF), maintain that the region is facing a “survival moment.” They argue that the North has been marginalized under the current administration and has a legitimate right to seek the presidency in 2027 to address these very grievances.
Political Mobilization: The video surfaces as Northern groups begin compiling a “Charter of Northern Grievances” to serve as a reference document for any candidate seeking their support in 2027.
2027: A Region Divided
The “Northern Lady’s” blast highlights a growing generational and ideological rift in the North. While traditional leaders like Rabiu Kwankwaso have warned against spreading falsehoods about early pacts with candidates like Atiku Abubakar or Peter Obi, the grassroots—represented by this viral video—seem increasingly disillusioned with the “Northern candidate” rhetoric.
As of early February 2026, the debate continues to intensify, with critics warning that if Northern voters remain “gullible,” they will continue to be victims of the same leaders they helped put in power.
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