South West Appointment and Projects Favoritism: Fact or Fiction?” -By Abba Dukawa

“It is utterly insensitive for Northern Nigeria’s elite to accuse President Tinubu’s administration of favoring the South-West geopolitical zone. Alleging favoritism towards the South-West, demonstrate a striking lack of sensitivity.

Where were these critics when former President Buhari’s administration faced controversy over alleged favoritism towards the North in appointments? Why they not accused PMB of violating the Federal Character Principle, which ensures balanced representation across regions.

Let’s set the record straight: According to BusinessDay, 81 out of 100 appointees since 2015 were Northerners, including key positions like Chief of Army Staff (Borno, North-East), Chief of Air Staff (North-East), National Security Adviser (North-East), Accountant General (Kano, North-West), and Chairman of the Federal Character Commission (North-East).

SGF (North East) Aviation (North West) AGF (North West) GMD NNPC(North East ) Minister of finance( North West). According to another reports, appointments by geopolitical zone are as follows: North West (51), North Central (47), North East (45), South East (41), South West (45), and South South (45). These figures are currently inconsequential.

Regarding the Northern elite’s claims about imbalance in President Tinubu’s appointments, the issue appears overstated. Instead, the more pressing question is whether they’re diverting attention from the North’s own developmental shortcomings. The region’s progress warrants scrutiny.”

The previous administration, despite having two consecutive terms, left key infrastructure projects unfinished in the north. Notable examples include the Kano-Kaduna-Abuja highway, a crucial North-South link,.

Kano-Maiduguri road project, vital for North West-North East connectivity. Moreover, Aminu Kano International Airport, a major Northern hub, significantly declined under the Northern Minister of Aviation’s supervision, rendering it nearly defunct.

The claim that President Tinubu’s administration favors the South-West in appointments appears baseless, particularly given the North’s experience under previous administrations.

Notably, Tinubu’s administration has appointed 71 individuals from the North and 63 from the South. A breakdown of Southern appointees reveals: South-West (26), South-South (21), and South-East (16). I’m still unclear about the issue – it seems like fiction.

For those overnight champions of Northern interests, have forgotten the unfinished infrastructure projects started by the previous regime, such as the Abuja-Kaduna-kano (AKK) gas project, Mambilla Power Project.

What about the Baro Port project was commissioned by President Muhammadu Buhari on January 19, 2019: Despite its commissioning, the project has remained idle due to a lack of supporting infrastructure, such as access roads and rail connectivity.

The Kano, Daura, and Maradi rail projects, though unfinished under previous administrations, are being continued by the current government. Numerous others projects across the North, left incomplete despite 8 years in power?

President Bola Tinubu’s administration has approved several major projects in Northern Nigeria. Some notable ones include Kolmani Integrated Development Project, continuation of Abuja-Kaduna-Kano Gas Pipeline,Sokoto-Badagry Highway, Kaduna-Kano Rail Line, Kano-Maiduguri Dual Carriageway.

Agriculture Value Chain Initiative to boost agricultural productivity and economic growth. ACReSAL Program a World Bank-funded project aimed at restoring one million hectares of degraded land in the North.Healthcare Projects
Federal Medical Centers*: upgrades and expansions are underway at major facilities, including Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Zaria, and Federal Medical Centre, Nguru.

A multimillion dollars oil exploration project located between Bauchi and Gombe states, expected to boost oil production and contribute to national economic growth. The project involves drilling activities, construction of a gas pipeline from Ajaokuta to Kano, and establishment of a Bauchi Oil and Gas Academy.

All these projects demonstrate President Tinubu’s commitment to improving infrastructure, energy, healthcare, and economic development in Northern Nigeria.

Despite numerous appointments and projects in Northern Nigeria, some self-proclaimed regional advocates remain driven by self-interest, claiming underrepresentation. Meanwhile, the appointments have sparked debate, with proponents citing merit and critics alleging their fuel ethnic and regional tensions.”

Dukawa write it from Abuja can be reached at abbahydukawa@gmail.com