Certain segments of Nigeria's northern political elite have been campaigning against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's re-election in 2027. However, critics argue that Tinubu has been fair to the North since assuming power over three years ago. The administration has demonstrated fairness, equity, and justice in appointments and infrastructure development across the country. The North has a significant presence in strategic leadership positions in the executive and legislature, as well as the nation's security architecture.
The North has benefited from various infrastructure projects under Tinubu's administration. These include the Sokoto-Badagry superhighway, the revival of work on the over 1,000-kilometer Maiduguri-Kano highway, and the Mina-Suleija, Zaria-Funtua-Sokoto-Gusau, and Kaduna-Abuja roads. Additionally, the Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano (AKK) gas pipeline and the Kaduna-Kano-Katsina railway have not been abandoned. These projects have improved the region's infrastructure.
Despite these efforts, some northerners have been criticizing Tinubu over insecurity in the region. However, the islamist insurgency groups, Boko Haram, ISWAP, and others originated from the North-eastern states of Borno, Yobe, and Adamawa in 2009 under the presidency of the late President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua. The current administration has made efforts to address these security challenges.
The issue of banditry and kidnapping also surfaced in 2015/2016, during the tenure of the late President Muhammadu Buhari, a northerner. Therefore, it is unfair to blame President Tinubu for the current security situation. Inter-communal clashes in parts of the North also preceded the Tinubu Presidency by several years. The administration has been working to address these issues.
The downturn in Nigeria's economy has been blamed on Tinubu's policies, particularly the withdrawal of petroleum subsidies. While the subsidy removal has had negative effects on the populace, it has also had positive impacts on the nation's fiscal profile. The foreign reserves have reached an 18-year high of $54.61 billion, representing a 30.5% gain in one year.
The removal of petroleum subsidies has also strengthened the country's liquidity standing, enhanced its capacity to meet international payments, and stabilized the exchange rate of the naira to the dollar. This has led to control of inflation and stronger foreign investor confidence. The administration's fiscal policies have had a positive impact on the economy.
To address the socio-economic challenges facing the North, the region must introspect and identify the root causes of its problems. The North's political elites have been blamed for the region's socio-economic travails. President Tinubu should be commended for his efforts to address the nation's challenges, rather than being vilified.
Key points
- President Tinubu's administration has demonstrated fairness, equity, and justice in appointments and infrastructure development across Nigeria.
- The North has benefited from various infrastructure projects under Tinubu's administration.
- The administration has made efforts to address security challenges in the region.
