Arewa Consultative Forum, Others Back Kwankwaso as Afenifere Denies Claim of Northern Marginalization

 

Several northern socio-political groups have thrown their weight behind former Kano State Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, who accused the President Bola Tinubu-led administration of marginalizing the North in developmental projects and appointments.

Kwankwaso claimed that the administration’s policies have led to rising poverty and insecurity in the region, as well as deteriorating infrastructure. “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,” Kwankwaso said.

The groups backing Kwankwaso’s claims argue that the administration’s policies have been skewed in favor of the South-West, at the expense of the North. Prof Tukur Muhammad-Baba, the National Publicity Secretary of the Arewa Consultative Forum, said Kwankwaso’s statement echoed widespread concerns of the North over what he described as glaring lopsidedness in the policies and appointments of the Tinubu-led government.

“The accusations aren’t new. Long before now, the ACF has consistently called out the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration on the lopsidedness of its policies, appointments, budgetary proposals provisions and projects,” Muhammad-Baba said.

Jamilu Charanchi, the National Coordinator of the Coalition of Northern Groups, described Kwankwaso’s statement as a reflection of the long-held sentiment of the majority in the North, who feel increasingly marginalized under Tinubu’s administration. Zaid Ayuba, the National President of the Arewa Youth Consultative Council, also backed Kwankwaso’s claims, lamenting that despite the North contributing over 74% of the votes that brought Tinubu into power, the president has continued to neglect the region.

The northern groups have called on the Tinubu administration to address the perceived marginalization and ensure balanced growth across all regions. However, the Special Adviser on Media and Public Communication to Tinubu, Sunday Dare, has described Kwankwaso’s remarks as “incorrect and misleading.”

Meanwhile, Afenifere, a socio-cultural group in the South-West, has denied claims of marginalization, further polarizing the debate on regional disparities in Nigeria.