Former senator representing Kaduna Central, Shehu Sani, has blamed past northern leaders for the widespread poverty, insecurity, and decaying infrastructure in the northern region, accusing them of betraying the trust of the people.
Speaking on Tuesday during a visit by the Tijjaniyya Grassroots Mobilisation and Empowerment Initiative of Nigeria (TIGMEIN) to his residence in Kaduna, Sani said leaders from the North squandered opportunities and looted public resources, leaving the region underdeveloped despite holding power for decades.
“We had Buhari in power for eight years, yet the North remained impoverished. Industries like KTL, UNTL, Nortex, Arewa Textiles, and others were abandoned. Our leaders chased personal gains, not the people’s progress,” Sani said.
He criticised efforts to blame President Bola Tinubu, who has been in office for two years, for the North’s longstanding issues, saying the roots of the region’s struggles run much deeper.
“The North’s problems didn’t begin two years ago. Former leaders had the chance to fix education, healthcare, and security, but they failed. Today, they want to deceive you into believing that Tinubu is your problem, ask yourself — did bad hospitals, failed roads, and insecurity start in the last 24 months?” he said.
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Sani also pointed to abandoned infrastructure projects such as the Kaduna-Abuja road, Minna-Abuja road, Lokoja-Abuja expressway, Ajaokuta Steel Company, and Mambilla Power Project as evidence of failed leadership.
He warned against allowing such leaders to return to power, stating: “No matter how bad things may seem now, know this: your brothers from the North failed you. If they return to power, nothing will change.”
The former senator commended TIGMEIN for its grassroots empowerment initiatives, especially its focus on women and youth skill acquisition. He described such efforts as critical to reducing poverty and building long-term peace in the region.
