Details of What Northern Stakeholders Spoke about Tinubu's Govt Emerge: "We Gave Him 60% of Votes"
- Stakeholders debate marginalisation claims against the Tinubu government, with some praising development initiatives and others citing neglect and security concerns
- Kaduna state governor Uba Sani commended President Tinubu's education and agriculture initiatives, highlighting student loan schemes and agricultural support programmes
- However, Northern States Governors' Forum Chairman Inuwa Yahaya blew hot over Tinubu's policies, threatening the withdrawal of northern support
Kaduna, Kaduna state - Leaders from Northern Nigeria's political and civic spheres gathered in Kaduna for a pivotal evaluation of President Bola Tinubu's governance, exposing underlying tensions and disagreements over perceived marginalisation and federal government performance.
Source: Twitter
Stakeholders held divergent views on President Tinubu's tenure, with some commending his development initiatives and appointments in the North, while others expressed deep concerns about perceived neglect, rising insecurity, and economic exclusion, as reported by The Punch.
Legit.ng gathered that the gathering consists of influential figures from the North, including former governors, traditional leaders, ministers, and civil society representatives, convened at the iconic Arewa House for a two-day forum organised by the Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Foundation in Kaduna.
Northern Stakeholders slam President Tinubu
The Arewa Consultative Forum expressed its discontent with President Tinubu's administration, citing major neglect and marginalisation in policies as major concerns.
Alhaji Bashir Dalhatu, ACF Board Chairman, highlighted numerous challenges plaguing the region, including escalating insecurity, inadequate agricultural support, poor infrastructure, and unreliable power supply.
Dalhatu lamented what he described as alarming indifference to the region’s concerns, despite repeated engagements with the Presidency and key stakeholders.
Prof. Ango Abdullahi, Chairman of the Northern Elders' Forum, cautioned that persistent exclusion of the region from federal budgetary allocations and infrastructure development could have severe consequences for Nigeria's unity and advancement.
The elder statesman characterised the region's plight as a pressing national crisis, especially in education, infrastructure, and economic opportunities, where urgent attention is imperative.
He blamed the crisis on inadequate funding and misplaced national priorities.
Northern political bigwigs list Tinubu's achievements
However. Kaduna state governor, Uba Sani, commended President Tinubu for initiatives that have yielded tangible benefits to Northern Nigeria, notably in education and agriculture.
He praised the student loan scheme and vocational education drive, which he said had begun equipping Northern youth with employable skills.
“These are not just federal policies. They are lifelines to millions of young people in the North,” he noted.
The governor praised Tinubu's agricultural initiatives, highlighting support for farming inputs, irrigation projects, and market access, which he said had significantly boosted northern farmers' prospects.
“No president in Nigeria’s history has supported subnational governments in agricultural transformation like Tinubu is doing right now,” he said.
Sani noted a significant departure, where senior federal officials, including ministers, security heads, and agency directors, actively participated in the regional dialogue, demonstrating a renewed commitment to addressing northern development concerns.
“This is unprecedented. When last did we see such a coordinated presence of federal actors in one hall to discuss the future of the North? This is a positive sign. Let us not squander it,” he said.
He urged his fellow governors and northern elites to drop political posturing and focus on developmental cooperation.
“We have no reason to complain. We have every reason to unite. Let us get to work,” he said.
The chairman of the Northern States Governors’ Forum and governor of Gombe state, Inuwa Yahaya, said the North must not shy away from demanding results from a government it overwhelmingly supported.
“The North gave President Tinubu over 60 per cent of the votes that brought him to power. That support must be matched with expectations and accountability,” Yahaya declared.
He said the engagement wasn’t a political jamboree but a platform for “democratic stocktaking.”
“Candidate Bola Tinubu made promises to us—specific commitments tailored to the needs of Northern Nigeria. This gathering is about checking whether those promises are being kept,” the governor stated.
Despite biting economic hardship, Yahaya noted that Tinubu’s government had made “visible strides” in the Northern region.
He listed key ongoing projects like Abuja–Kaduna–Kano Expressway; Kano–Katsina–Maradi rail line; Kaduna Refinery rehabilitation, Abuja–Kaduna–Kano Gas pipeline, and the Kolmani oilfields exploration.
Source: Twitter
Tinubu set to revive Kaduna textile factory
Legit.ng previously reported that the federal government has declared its intention to revive the moribund Kaduna Textile to boost the economy of the country.
The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Sen. George Akume, made this assertion at the 2-Day Interactive Season on Government-Citizens Engagement on Tuesday, July 29, in Kaduna state while leading a delegation from Abuja.
Source: Legit.ng
