Sam Philip
Pan Yoruba socio-cultural organisation, Afenifere, has faulted the allegation by Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso that the Southern region is being developed a the expence of the Northern region by the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led government in the development of the federation.
The organization accused Kwankwaso of misleading Nigerians by his claim, describing him as an alarmist.
In a statement by the National Organising Secretary of Afenifere, Otunba Kole Omololu, Afenifere said: “Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso’s recent outburst, alleging that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration is marginalising the North and concentrating national resources in the South, is not only grossly misleading but also deliberately incendiary.
“As a former governor and minister, one
would expect Senator Kwankwaso to speak with facts, not emotions laced with sectional bias.
“It must be stated unequivocally that no region in Nigeria has benefited more from concentrated federal presence in the past decade than the North.
“During the Buhari administration – a northern presidency, which Senator Kwankwaso conveniently omits – critical national resources were disproportionately channelled to the North.
“The World Bank Managing Director publicly disclosed that President Buhari specifically directed the institution to focus its interventions in northern
Nigeria. Where was Kwankwaso’s voice for equity and fairness then?
“Road and rail infrastructure were overwhelmingly skewed. The Kano-Maradi railway, constructed
deep into Niger Republic with no economic significance to Nigeria, was completed under Buhari. Was
this done for national integration or to aid cross-border movement of Fulani kinsmen?
“Meanwhile, under the same regime, the hell on which the senator travelled was not made heaven, the Lagos/Ibadan Expressway, started by President Jonathan and designed to reach Iwo Junction, remained uncompleted.
“The Second Niger Bridge was still pending upon Buhari’s exit after eight years in office. Less than two years into President Tinubu’s administration, Kwankwaso is crying foul.
“Perhaps he is unaware that critical road projects have been initiated and awarded across the North, including the dualisation of the Kano-Maiduguri Road, Sokoto-Tambuwal-Jega Road, and the Abuja-Keffi-Lafia corridor. The Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano (AKK) gas pipeline, neglected by past regimes, is being fasttracked.
“Just weeks ago, President Tinubu approved billions for critical infrastructure in Katsina, Borno, and Niger States.
“Kwankwaso’s alarmist rhetoric is not only unfair but also deeply dangerous. It stokes regional tension and paints a false picture of deliberate southern favouritism.
“Development is a gradual process, and
Tinubu has not yet reached the halfway mark of his term. By 2027, and indeed by 2031, every region, including the North, will feel the impact of this administration.
“We must rise above ethnic saboteurs and sectional agitators masquerading as patriots. Let statesmen, not ethnic lords, shape the conversation.”