Group dismisses claims of Northern marginalisation under Tinubu
A civil society group, the Nigeria First Project Initiative, has rejected claims that Northern Nigeria is being marginalised under the administration of President Bola Tinubu, describing the narrative as unfounded
A civil society group, the Nigeria First Project Initiative, has rejected claims that Northern Nigeria is being marginalised under the administration of President Bola Tinubu, describing the narrative as unfounded and not supported by available records.
In a statement on Sunday by its national coordinator, Comrade Hamza Umar Saulawa, and Director of Research and Documentation, Bishir Dauda, the group said assertions by opposition figures and some commentators lack “convincing evidence and verifiable facts.”
The group argued that publicly available data on federal projects and political appointments indicate that the region is not being sidelined.
It cited ongoing infrastructure projects such as the Sokoto-Badagry Superhighway, the Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano Expressway, and the Kano-Maradi railway as evidence of federal presence in the North.
According to the statement, critics have focused attention on the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway while paying less attention to projects located in the northern part of the country.
Advertisement
300x250
Regarding political representation, the group noted that the North currently holds key positions in government, including the office of the Vice President, currently occupied by Kashim Shettima, as well as the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the Deputy Senate President, and the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress.
It further stated that several Federal Ministries and agencies are headed by northerners, alongside appointments into advisory and executive positions across government institutions.
The group also pointed to economic reforms introduced by the administration, including foreign exchange unification, removal of fuel subsidy, and ongoing tax reforms, which it said have increased revenues distributed through the Federation Account Allocation Committee to all states and the Federal Capital Territory.
It added that the increase in allocations has enabled states to meet salary obligations and address outstanding liabilities, while also funding infrastructure and social services.
On security, the statement referenced efforts by the federal government to support constitutional amendments aimed at establishing State police, as part of measures to address insecurity nationwide.
It also highlighted the Supreme Court ruling on Local Government autonomy, which mandates direct allocation of funds to Local governments, noting that the policy is beginning to impact grassroots development in some states.
Advertisement
300x250
"From our findings, the policies and programs of the Tinubu administration impact the country as a whole, irrespective of geographical location.
"For instance, the unification of foreign exchange markets, which terminates racketeering and round-tripping of forex; the abrogation of the opaque and corruption-ridden fuel subsidy regime; and the tax reform, among others, are manifesting positive effects, like an increase in the Federal Account Allocation Committee (FAAC), which all 36 states of the Federation and Abuja enjoy.
"Today, there is no State in Nigeria that cannot pay workers' salaries. Many States, including those from the Northern part of the country, have paid outstanding gratuity of several months to their retirees and, at the same time, are undertaking gigantic infrastructural projects across critical sectors, including education, health, agriculture, and works, among others.
"President Tinubu has shown a high level of commitment to changing the security architecture of the country by championing constitutional amendment to pave the way for the creation of State police, which no doubt will overhaul the entire security ecosystem of the country," the group pointed out.
The group maintained that national policies are designed to benefit all regions, and that development in the North depends not only on Federal interventions but also on the performance of State and Local governments, as well as regional stakeholders.
Advertisement
300x250
It cited comments by governors, including Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State and Uba Sani of Kaduna State, who have spoken about increased revenues accruing to their States, stressing, "This implies there is no excuse for dismal performance on their part.
"In view of the above, marginalization as far as we are concerned, is just a weapon self-acclaimed regional and ethnic champions use to extract personal concessions".
Calling on Nigerians to avoid ethnic and regional divisions, the group admonished, “We urge citizens to place national interest above sectional considerations."
