Shehu Sani: North produced two presidents in 11 years — yet remains underdeveloped

Shehu Sani, a former senator who represented Kaduna central, has criticised past northern political leaders for failing to transform the region despite holding power for years.

Speaking at a press briefing at his Kaduna residence on Monday, Sani expressed disappointment over the north’s underdevelopment, despite having produced two presidents since 1999.

He noted that both the late Umaru Musa Yar’Adua and former President Muhammadu Buhari, who are from Katsina, ruled for a combined 11 years.

“Yet the region remains underdeveloped,” Sani said.

The former senator praised President Bola Tinubu’s administration for what he described as “notable progress” and called on northerners to support the government’s efforts.

He also urged the region to rally behind Tinubu in the 2027 elections.

“For those of us from the north, we must acknowledge the gains made by this administration,” he said.

“Those who had the opportunity to do better but failed should apologise to the people of the region instead of inciting discontent.”

He warned against the use of tribal and regional sentiments to undermine the Tinubu-led government.

According to him, some northern political figures who failed to deliver during their tenure are now attempting to sow division out of frustration.

“Northerners must not allow themselves to be manipulated against a government that, in many respects, has outperformed the one that originated from their own region,” Sani said.

“Let us remember that the south-west stood solidly behind the north during Buhari’s tenure and never posed any significant opposition to his rule.”

Sani argued that in the interest of equity, the south — particularly the south-west — should be allowed to complete the eight-year presidential term.

“It would be just and equitable; even if the opposition fields a presidential candidate, he should come from the south-west. That is what fairness and justice demand,” he stated.

He accused some northern politicians of using public grievances as a smokescreen for their frustrations over exclusion from power.

“Their protests are not about the masses, not about insecurity, not about governance; they are about their own political ambitions,” he said.

Sani recalled that during former President Buhari’s tenure, all heads of security agencies were northerners, while the region remained plagued by terrorism and banditry.

He said Tinubu’s government still features a significant northern presence, noting that the security situation has improved.

According to him, key northern appointees include the ministers of foreign affairs, health, defence, state for defence, transport, environment, agriculture, state for agriculture, and state for works.

“Even the newly created ministry of livestock is headed by a northerner. The chief of defence staff is also from the north. We in Kaduna, in particular, appreciate this representation,” he said.

He acknowledged that insecurity persists in Katsina and Zamfara states, where banditry and kidnappings remain serious concerns.

Sani remarked that the situation is relatively better than what was witnessed under the previous administration.

“In comparing the administration led by someone from our region with the current one led by someone outside our region, it is clear that the latter has delivered more tangible progress,” he said.

“We, in the north, must recognise and appreciate this.”