By the National Patriots.
In a recent candid interview, a prominent Northern leader and opinion moulder delivered an unflinching assessment of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration. He lauded the President for his bold economic reforms and, most importantly, for directing unprecedented special interventions toward Northern Nigeria and across the federation.
Unprecedented Funding to Governors
The leader stressed that in Nigeria’s political history, state governors have never received the scale of funding now being disbursed under the Tinubu administration. He confirmed that these allocations were specifically designed to cushion the impact of the reforms, ensuring governors—who are constitutionally responsible for the welfare of their people—could provide safety nets, palliatives, and direct relief.
In a landmark move, President Tinubu recently released ₦330 billion to Northern Nigeria alone, dedicated to alleviating the economic hardship caused by subsidy removal and other reforms. This intervention was meant to prepare safety nets and provide immediate palliatives for citizens, channelled through state governors for maximum local impact.
One Northern governor further disclosed receiving an additional ₦60 billion to complement this broader allocation, underscoring just how unprecedented and targeted these support packages have been. Governors including Uba Sani of Kaduna, Umar Bago of Niger State, Nasir Idris of Kebbi State, and Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State have all publicly acknowledged Tinubu’s people-centered governance, describing it as a deliberate effort to reduce hardship and stabilize communities.
Historical Context: 47 Years of Northern Rule
Drawing on history, the leader reminded Nigerians that the North has held power longer than any other region—an estimated 47 years since independence in 1960. Yet, despite this extended rule, the region remains more backward and underdeveloped compared to others. He argued that it would be unfair, even hypocritical, for Northerners to accuse President Tinubu of neglect, especially when his administration has gone out of its way to allocate extra funds for Northern development.
“Northerners must hold themselves responsible,” he said firmly. “For decades, our own leaders and governors presided over power yet failed to translate that into meaningful development. President Tinubu, despite being from the Southwest, is investing deliberately in Northern Nigeria.”
Condemning Political Weaponization of Poverty
The leader condemned what he described as unjust accusations against Tinubu from certain quarters, calling them attempts to weaponize poverty for political gain. He reminded the public that the North overwhelmingly supported Tinubu in the 2023 elections, and the President has responded in kind with policies and resources targeted at alleviating hardship in the region.
He insisted that any claims suggesting otherwise are purely political gamesmanship, detached from the economic and social realities of the country. In his words, “The responsibility for cushioning hardship lies primarily with the governors who now have unprecedented funds at their disposal. They must step up and deliver.”
Comparative Analysis with Past Administrations
Analysts note that while past administrations—whether under Northern or Southern leadership—often distributed federal allocations as routine, Tinubu has broken precedent by creating special intervention windows, directly designed to buffer Nigerians from reforms such as the subsidy removal and FX unification.
Unlike before, where funds were often disbursed without accountability measures, Tinubu’s interventions are not only larger but also tied to social safety objectives. The release of ₦330 billion to Northern Nigeria, alongside direct extra allocations to governors, represents the largest targeted regional intervention in Nigeria’s democratic history.
A Call to Northern Governors
The message was blunt but fair: Northern leaders and governors must take ownership of the region’s progress. The era of blaming Abuja for every challenge must give way to accountable governance at the state level. With the unprecedented inflow of funds, governors are directly responsible for delivering on palliatives, infrastructure, education, healthcare, and job creation to lift their people out of poverty.
Conclusion: A Northern Voice for Truth
This frank expose, coming from a respected Northern voice, hit the nail on the head. It underscored the fact that Tinubu’s presidency is not one of neglect but of deliberate inclusion—particularly for the North. Any narrative to the contrary, he argued, is political mischief, not grounded in fact.
With ₦330 billion released to Northern Nigeria, additional billions to individual states, and a consistent record of interventions, President Tinubu has demonstrated unprecedented commitment to the region’s welfare. The real question for Northerners is not whether Tinubu is doing enough, but whether their governors will rise to the occasion.
Dr. Imran Khazaly.
The National Patriots.
A prominent Northern leader has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for unprecedented interventions targeted at easing hardship in Northern Nigeria and across the country. He noted that in Nigeria’s political history, governors have never received the scale of funding currently being disbursed.
Recently, President Tinubu released ₦330 billion to Northern Nigeria to prepare safety nets and palliatives for citizens affected by economic reforms. In addition, one Northern governor confirmed receiving ₦60 billion in extra funding. Governors including Uba Sani of Kaduna, Umar Bago of Niger, Nasir Idris of Kebbi, and Bala Mohammed of Bauchi have acknowledged Tinubu’s governance with a human face, affirming that these funds are directed at reducing hardship.
The leader dismissed accusations against Tinubu as unfair, reminding Northerners that the region had ruled Nigeria for 47 years, yet remained underdeveloped. He insisted that responsibility lies with Northern governors, who now have unprecedented resources to provide relief and drive development.
He condemned attempts to weaponize poverty for politics, stressing that Tinubu has shown more deliberate inclusion of the North than past leaders. With historic interventions, he said, Northerners should hold their governors accountable rather than blame the President.
The National Patriots.
Headlinenews.news Special report.
For more details, visit: www.headlinenews.news
