The 2023 Presidential candidate of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso, has criticised the President Bola Tinubu administration for allegedly neglecting the Northern region of Nigeria and concentrating the nation’s resources on developing the Southern part of the country.
Senator Kwankwaso made this statement on Thursday at the Kano State Stakeholders’ Dialogue on the 2025 Constitutional Amendment.
Kwankwaso accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of lopsided allocation of scarce resources between the two regions of the country.
He claimed that most of the national budget was now tilting in one direction, with the Southern region receiving more attention and resources.
Kwankwaso noted that the Northern region was plagued by insecurity, poverty, and poor infrastructure due to lack of resources and mismanagement.
“Let me advise the Federal Government on the distribution of federal resources.
“From the information available to us, it’s like most of the national budget is now tilting in one direction in this country, ” he said.
Kwankwaso cited the poor condition of roads in the Northern region as an example of the neglect.
He recounted his recent experience traveling from Abuja to Kano by road, describing the journey as terrible due to the bad road conditions.
Kwankwaso contrasted this with reports of new infrastructure projects in the Southern region, such as the Lagos-Calabar coastal road project.
He urged the Tinubu administration to change its approach and ensure the equitable distribution of scarce resources for the development of all parts of the country.
He emphasised that the government should not favour one region over another, added that infrastructure development should be a priority across the country.
With the 2027 election less than two years away, Kwankwaso’s comments have significant implications.
As a strongman in Kano politics and a leader with a cult-like following, Kwankwaso’s endorsement could be crucial for any politician seeking to win the presidency.
His recent meeting with President Tinubu has sparked speculation about a possible alliance between them.
Kwankwaso’s criticism of the Tinubu administration highlighted the need for more equitable distribution of resources and infrastructure development across the country.
As the 2027 election approached, politicians would likely face increasing pressure to address these issues and demonstrate their commitment to regional development and national unity.
