July 25, (THEWILL) — The presidential candidate of the New Nigeria People’s Party in the 2023 general elections, Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso, has urged President Bola Tinubu to ensure the fair distribution of the country’s resources for the development of all regions.
Kwankwaso made the call on Thursday while speaking at the Kano State Stakeholders’ Dialogue on the 2025 Constitutional Amendment, held in Kano.
The forum was convened to allow residents of the state contribute to the ongoing review of the 1999 Constitution.
In his remarks, the former Kano State governor accused the Tinubu-led administration of favouring the South in terms of infrastructure development and resource allocation, to the detriment of the North.
“From the information available to us, it appears the national budget is skewed in one direction. Resources are being concentrated in the South while the North is left behind,” he alleged.
Kwankwaso warned that continued neglect of the North could worsen insecurity and poverty in the region, with spillover effects on the entire country.
“Some of the challenges we face—rising insecurity, deepening poverty, stem from limited resources and poor management of what little we have.
“Those diverting everything to one side should remember: what affects the North will eventually affect the rest of the country,” he said.
He cited the poor state of key northern infrastructure, especially the Abuja-Kaduna-Kano highway, which he noted has remained unfinished years after construction began.
“The condition of the Abuja-Kaduna-Kano road is deplorable. That road project started under the APC government but remains uncompleted.
“Meanwhile, we now hear of a new coastal highway connecting the South to the East,” he added.
In his welcome address, Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf said the dialogue was aimed at collating the views of residents to reflect their aspirations in the proposed constitutional amendments.
He urged participants to reach a consensus on issues that matter to the state, noting that such submissions would help shape a more inclusive national constitution.
The event, held at the Coronation Hall of the Kano Government House, was chaired by a renowned constitutional lawyer, Prof. Auwalu Yadudu.
Participants included the state’s four Emirs, civil society organisations, labour unions, women’s groups, and student associations.
Abdullahi Yusuf is a seasoned journalist, communicator and was previously the Deputy Editor-In-Chief and Zonal Manager, News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, Jos, where he retired on December 15, 2021
