The 2023 presidential candidate of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has accused President Bola Tinubu’s administration of neglecting northern Nigeria by concentrating the country’s resources in the South.
Kwankwaso made the accusation while speaking at the Kano State Stakeholders’ Dialogue on the 2025 Constitutional Amendment, yesterday.
While recounting the hardship he experienced travelling from Abuja to Kano, the 2023 presidential candidate decried the deplorable state of federal roads in the region.
“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.
“And this is a road that was started many years ago, right from the beginning of the leadership of the APC. Now we are told that there is a road now from the South to East”, he said.
While acknowledging the importance of infrastructure development across the country, Kwankwaso insisted on equity and fairness.
“Let me say at this point that we support infrastructure anywhere in this country. In fact, I was telling myself that I wish that road was done before the 2023 election, because I was the only aspirant or candidate who travelled to all nooks and corners across this country. I would have used that road.
“So, we support roads everywhere, and any other thing that is good for the people, especially 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. And this is the time for the government to change, to convince our people that the government is not just on one side of the country”, he stated.
On the constitutional amendment, Kwankwaso called on lawmakers from Kano State to form a united front in defence of the state’s interests.
“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.
“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 pointed out.
He urged lawmakers to resist external influence and remain committed to the people.
“Now we have an opportunity again, and we are very much aware that the rich once more is working so hard to take from the poor. Even though what is going to happen is a bipartisan arrangement, people representing us — whether in our party (NNPP) or any other party for that matter — must stand firm and do the right thing,” he said.
In his remarks, Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf said the essence of the stakeholders’ dialogue was to enable the state to reach a common position that truly reflects the values and aspirations of its people.
He said the dialogue was not only timely but also crucial and critical in amplifying the voices and realities of the people of Kano State.
The event was attended by representatives from the National and State Assemblies, the Emirs of Kano, Gaya, and Karaye, top government officials, opinion leaders, and other critical stakeholders.
