Tinubu neglecting North in allocation of resources — Kwankwaso

The Presidential candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) in the 2023 general election, Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso, has accused President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration of neglecting the North in the allocation of national resources.

Speaking in Kano during a stakeholders’ dialogue on the 2025 constitutional amendment proposals, Kwankwaso said the Federal Government has diverted attention and resources to the Southern region at the expense of Northern development.

The dialogue, held at the Coronation Hall of the Kano Government House, was organised by the Kano State government to harmonise the state’s position ahead of deliberations by the National Assembly.

Kwankwaso said, “Let me advise the federal government on the distribution of federal resources. From the information available to us, it is like most of the national budget is now tilting in one direction in this country.

“Let me advise those who are struggling by all means to take everything to remember that some of the issues that we have in this part of the country today have to do with the lack of enough resources and mismanagement of the little that comes in.

“That is why we have insecurity, we have poverty and so on. It is happening here mainly, but like a desert, it would go everywhere.”

Narrating his travel ordeal, Kwankwaso lamented the poor condition of the Abuja–Kaduna–Kano road, describing it as “terrible” and “a hellish experience,” saying his flight was delayed, and he had to endure a stressful road journey.

“Yesterday, I was to come by air. Unfortunately, my airline decided to shift our take-off from 3 to 8 p.m. I had to come by road. From Abuja to Kaduna to Kano was a hell, terrible, very bad road.

“Now, we are told that there is a road from the South to the East. We support infrastructure anywhere in this country…and any other thing that is good for the masses. But a situation where government is taking our resources and dumping it in one part of the country and other parts of the country are left just like that, I don’t believe that is the right thing to do by the government itself,” Kwankwaso said.

According to him, the road project had lingered since the beginning of the All Progressives Congress (APC) administration, yet it remains incomplete, while infrastructure is being prioritised in other regions.

He said, “We support development projects across Nigeria, but it is unfair for government to focus development efforts in one part of the country while abandoning others. The North deserves equal attention.”

Kwankwaso expressed regret that the road had not been completed before the 2023 elections, noting that he was the only presidential candidate who travelled extensively across Nigeria during the campaigns and could have benefited from improved road infrastructure.

While backing equitable development, the former governor stressed that any government that concentrates national resources in one region at the expense of others was acting unjustly.

Turning to the constitutional amendment process, Kwankwaso called on Kano lawmakers to act with unity and integrity in safeguarding the interests of the state during deliberations at the National Assembly.

“We have seen what has happened in the past, and I think it’s important for you and all of us to consider the mistakes of others while we have an opportunity to do our jobs now,” he said.

“I remember especially 1999 to 2003, and of course right through to this National Assembly. We have seen a situation where our members were given the opportunity to really represent their constituents, but unfortunately, on many occasions, they were compromised.

“We have seen a situation whereby the rich in the country worked so hard to raise a lot of money to bribe members of the National Assembly, especially those who are representatives. And as a result of that, we now have a tilted arrangement in terms of resource sharing in the country.

“Many people will think that they have won. I don’t believe so. Because I believe the issues that we have today in this country, especially in this part of the country, have to do with mismanagement of resources by leaders at the national level, state level, and even at the local government level. And of course, it has to do with the little that had to be given to those concerned.”

He recalled past instances where some lawmakers were allegedly compromised by wealthy individuals, resulting in imbalances in the allocation of national resources and weak representation of their constituencies.

“The rich are again making moves to influence the process. Our representatives, whether from NNPP or other parties, must resist such pressures and stand firm for the people,” Kwankwaso said.

Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, in his remarks, said the dialogue was vital in capturing the true aspirations of Kano citizens and ensuring the state’s position is presented with one voice.

He described the initiative as timely and necessary in amplifying the concerns of Kano people, reaffirming the commitment of his administration to inclusive governance and stakeholder engagement.

Dignitaries present at the event included Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, traditional rulers, heads of ministries and agencies, lawmakers from Kano, civil society groups, and other critical stakeholders.

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