Former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Yakubu Dogara, has dismissed claims that President Bola Tinubu or the Southern part of Nigeria was responsible for the North’s challenges.
Speaking at a town hall meeting for Christian leaders in Northern Nigeria, Dogara highlighted that despite the North ruling Nigeria for over 40 years, the region remained underdeveloped and impoverished due to poor leadership.
The event, themed “Church and Society: Tax Reforms and Matters Arising,” provided a platform for Dogara to address governance and development issues. He criticised northern political leaders for squandering opportunities to uplift the region.
“We are all northerners, and it should be made clear that President Tinubu or the South is not our problem. They have not come to cheat the North. That is out of the question,” Dogara said.
“Some are claiming that Yoruba people are getting appointments, but let’s reflect. We ruled this country for over 40 years when northerners were in power. What did we achieve? The North remains the same, impoverished by our own leaders.”
Dogara also touched on the mismanagement of federal allocations and other resources by northern governors, emphasizing their failure to prioritize meaningful development.
“We have had so much, but what did our governors do with the resources? They squandered them instead of investing in meaningful development,” he lamented.
Citing the Ajaokuta Steel Industry as an example of abandoned projects, Dogara noted its near-completion during the Shagari administration, only for it to be neglected and allowed to deteriorate.
“The project was almost finished, yet it was left to rot,” he added.
Dogara urged Nigerians, particularly northerners, to support President Tinubu’s administration, especially its tax reform bills currently awaiting the National Assembly’s endorsement. According to him, these reforms hold the potential to transform the country and foster national development.
“Northerners must look beyond sentiments and rally behind President Tinubu in his efforts to move the country forward,” the former federal lawmaker stated.