Tinubu Govt. Develops Southern Nigeria, Neglects the North – Says Kwankwaso
Former Kano State Governor and 2023 presidential candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has accused President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's administration of favoring the southern part of the country in terms of infrastructural development and federal appointments—while neglecting the northern region.
In a bold and controversial statement that has sparked widespread debate across Nigeria's political landscape, Senator Kwankwaso alleged that the current federal government under President Tinubu is disproportionately focused on the development of southern Nigeria at the expense of the North. Speaking at a recent political gathering in Kano, Kwankwaso claimed that the North is being "systematically sidelined" in key national projects, budget allocations, and ministerial appointments.
According to him, “We are seeing a trend where almost all major projects are being sited in Lagos, Ogun, and other southern states. Our northern states are being ignored—no new rail lines, no power projects, no meaningful infrastructure. What exactly is the Northern region benefiting under this government?”
Kwankwaso highlighted several specific areas where he believes the Tinubu administration is failing the North:
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Infrastructural Development: Projects such as the Lagos-Calabar coastal highway, the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway completion, and the expansion of southern seaports have received substantial funding and federal attention, while key northern infrastructure projects remain stagnant or abandoned.
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Railway Networks: While the South sees massive railway investments, like the proposed Lagos-Calabar rail, no comparable rail initiative is ongoing or newly approved for the North.
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Federal Appointments: Kwankwaso and several northern political observers argue that key strategic ministries and government parastatals have been dominated by appointees from the South, sidelining the North’s political and technocratic class.
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Security and Economic Empowerment: The former governor also criticized the federal government for failing to address escalating insecurity and poverty in northern Nigeria, particularly in states ravaged by banditry and terrorism.
Kwankwaso’s comments have drawn sharp reactions from different quarters. While some northern stakeholders echoed his concerns, describing the development gap as “dangerously widening,” others accused him of politicizing national development and stoking regional sentiments.
Southern leaders and political analysts have countered the narrative, insisting that Tinubu's infrastructural push is about economic viability and that many of the current projects are long overdue developments aimed at reviving the country’s economic backbone.
A political analyst, Dr. Gbemisola Adeyemi, said: “Kwankwaso’s comments reflect a narrow regional lens. The North had considerable federal presence under previous governments. What we need is national unity, not further division.”
In response to the allegations, a spokesperson from the Presidency dismissed Kwankwaso’s claims as “baseless and politically motivated.” According to the official, the Tinubu administration is “committed to even development across all regions of Nigeria,” and current projects in the South are a continuation of initiatives inherited from previous governments.
The spokesperson emphasized that President Tinubu’s upcoming national budget includes infrastructure and agricultural investments specifically targeted at northern states such as Katsina, Kano, Sokoto, and Borno.
Northern youth organizations and civil society groups have expressed growing concern over the perceived marginalization. Groups like the Arewa Youth Consultative Forum (AYCF) have called on the federal government to urgently address the infrastructure deficit and rising unemployment in the North.
They warned that continued neglect could exacerbate unrest and deepen existing regional disparities.
Kwankwaso's claims, whether factual or politically driven, raise critical questions about equity and balance in governance. For Nigeria to thrive as a united nation, development must not be seen through the lens of ethnicity or geography. Infrastructure, appointments, and national projects must be inclusive and equitably distributed.
With insecurity still rampant in the North and development lopsided, it is crucial that President Tinubu reassures all Nigerians—especially those in the North—that his government is for all and not just a few regions.
Senator Kwankwaso’s comments have reignited an age-old debate about Nigeria’s federal character, fairness in governance, and the urgent need for balanced national development. As 2025 unfolds, the Tinubu administration will be judged not just by its economic reforms but also by how well it bridges regional divides.
Do you believe Kwankwaso’s claims are valid, or is he simply playing regional politics? Let us know your thoughts in the comment section.
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