Northern Leaders, Not Tinubu, Responsible for Region’s Challenges – Ex-Speaker Dogara

Former Speaker Yakubu Dogara criticizes Northern leaders for the region’s failures, absolving President Tinubu of blame, and urging accountability.

Yakubu Dogara, the former Speaker of the House of Representatives, has rejected assertions that President Bola Tinubu or the southern region is responsible for northern Nigeria’s challenges.

During a town hall meeting for Christian leaders in northern Nigeria, Dogara highlighted that the region’s underdevelopment is primarily due to years of mismanagement by its own leadership.

Speaking at the event titled “Church and Society: Tax Reforms and Matters Arising,” Dogara expressed his disappointment with the North’s lack of advancement, despite its political dominance in Nigeria for over 40 years. He condemned former northern leaders for missing opportunities to foster development in the region.

“We are all from the North, and it’s important to clarify that neither President Tinubu nor the southern region is our issue. They have not come to take advantage of us. The suggestion that Yoruba individuals are receiving appointments misses a broader perspective. Let’s consider our past: Northerners were in power for over four decades governing this country; yet during those years, what progress did we achieve? Our region remains unchanged and impoverished due largely to the decisions made by our own leaders,” stated Dogara.

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Pointing out the misuse of federal resources, Dogara scrutinized how state governors in the region have handled allocations and revenues like Value Added Tax (VAT). He remarked, “We’ve received substantial amounts, yet what did our governors do with these funds? Rather than investing in meaningful development, they squandered them.”

Dogara also mentioned the Ajaokuta Steel Industry, a project initiated during the Shagari administration that was nearly completed before being neglected. “The project was almost finished but ended up abandoned,” he commented.

The former Speaker urged northerners to back President Tinubu’s initiatives aimed at revitalizing the country, especially through tax reforms pending approval by the National Assembly. He emphasized the importance of collaboration in overcoming significant economic and governance challenges for Nigeria’s advancement.