• Says they’ve failed the region, must apologise to northerners
Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani has blamed the northern politicians for failing the region, and called on them to apologise to the people of the region.
He made the scathing remarks in an interview with TRUST TV, where he noted that criticism of the government should be rooted in the interest of the people, not driven by a quest for power.
“Every democracy must allow criticism, but it must be constructive, and in the interest of the Nigerian people. That’s what we did as activists, not because we wanted power.
“But when you attack the government you’ve been part of… All of us from the northern Nigeria who have held political office in the last 20 years, need to look at ourselves in the mirror and apologise to the people of northern Nigeria. We let them down,” he said.
He admitted that he was part of the system and said northern Nigeria’s challenges stem from decades of underdevelopment and neglect.
“I’ll say it here today, all of us; I was a senator in this country, and the problems of northern Nigeria didn’t start two years ago.
“We’re talking about developments or lack thereof over the past 20 years; I can give you the data and statistics next time we meet.
“I chaired a committee on banking, so I know the poverty index of northern Nigeria. I know how many people, as we speak, that are financially excluded,” he said.
He noted that despite massive social intervention spending under former President Muhammadu Buhari, the region grew even worse due to systemic exclusion.
“Don’t forget, when Buhari was president; people forget this, he spent hundreds of billions of Naira on social interventions.
“But I’ll tell you why the North became poorer even after that. Because 70% of the population in Northern Nigeria, especially the masses, were completely financially excluded.
“If you’re a former senator, a former member of the House of Representatives, a former governor, a former minister, or even a former vice-president from Northern Nigeria in the last 20 years, you’re part of the problem. All of us,” he submitted.
The governor urged political leaders to stop deceiving citizens with dishonest claims, and expressed respect for critics who speak truthfully and uphold genuine ethical principles.
“And that’s why I believe we must not deceive the people of Northern Nigeria. We must not mislead them.
“That’s why I said earlier that I’ve no problem with people criticising the government, people like Dan Bello Galadanchi.
“All those individuals, I can tell you, have the moral right to criticise this government. But those who were part of the rot and are now saying they’ve repented, please, I think that’s wrong,” he said.