Hon. Yusuf Ibrahim Zailani, former Speaker of the Kaduna State House of Assembly, believes President Bola Ahmed Tinubu should not be blamed for the challenges facing Northern Nigeria.
Zailani spoke to journalists after receiving Alhaji Yerima Shettima, President-General of the Arewa Youth Consultative Forum (AYCF), who paid him a condolence visit for the passing of his stepmother, Hajia Fatima Abdullahi (Goggu Ladi).
According to Zailani, Tinubu has aided the North, particularly through the creation and funding of regional development commissions.
“President Tinubu has, in his own way, liberated the North from poverty and underdevelopment. With an annual budget of ₦750 billion allocated to each of the North’s three development commissions—totalling ₦2.25 trillion annually—the North has no reason to struggle with poverty, unemployment, and underdevelopment.”
Proper management of these funds can address critical issues such as power supply (approximately ₦200 billion needed for 100 megawatts of solar power), agriculture (investment in fertiliser blending plants and enhanced seed research), and industrialisation (potential for job creation and tax revenue).
Zailani asked Northern leaders and civilians to hold the development commissions responsible rather than blaming the President or the Federal Government.
“Instead of constantly questioning what the federal government is doing or not doing, we should be asking what our development commissions are doing with the allocated funds.”
He also addressed concerns about the proposed tax reform bill, which critics claim would benefit industrialised states such as Lagos.
“Now that we have been empowered with development commissions, let us build our own industries and generate our own taxes instead of complaining.”
Hon. Zailani praised Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State for his developmental initiatives, including the construction of 20 kilometres of asphalt roads in each constituency.
He encouraged the Arewa Youth Consultative Forum (AYCF) and other organisations to work with the government to further develop Kaduna State and the North.
Alhaji Yerima Shettima, President-General of AYCF, prayed for the late Hajia Fatima Abdullahi’s soul.
Shettima restated the AYCF’s commitment to keeping officials accountable while applauding President Tinubu’s development efforts in Northern Nigeria. “We will continue to uphold the truth and ensure justice for all.”
