Former senator and human rights advocate Shehu Sani has thrown his support behind President Bola Tinubu’s 2027 re-election bid, while sharply criticising previous Northern leaders for failing to drive progress in the region.
Speaking to journalists at his Kaduna home, Sani emphasized that the North had wielded significant political power in recent years but failed to use that advantage to develop the region meaningfully.
He accused some former Northern officeholders of stoking resentment against Tinubu for their own gain.
“For those of us from this part (North) of the country, we appreciate the progress made so far by this present government,” Sani said.
“And for those of them who had the opportunity to do better and they failed, we tell them that it is better they apologize for the wrong they have done to the people of the North.”
He warned the Northern populace against being manipulated by such politicians, stressing the importance of unity and continued support for the current administration.
“They should not be incited against the President who had supported our own for eight years in power,” he said. “I have heard a lot of comments and remarks that are linked to tribal sentiments.”
Sani cited recent political history, noting that the North-West has produced two presidents since 1999, Umaru Musa Yar’Adua and Muhammadu Buhari.
He highlighted that the South-West had consistently backed Northern candidates and should now be allowed to complete its own presidential tenure.
“So it is only logical that we allow the South to complete their eight years in power for the peace, unity, and for the survival of our democracy,” he stated.
“And even if there should be another presidential candidate from the opposition, that candidate should be from the Southwest because that is equity, justice, and that is fairness.”
He accused certain unnamed Northern politicians of self-interest, arguing that their criticism of the Tinubu administration stems from exclusion rather than genuine concern for the region.
“Such elements are crying foul for no reason other than that they have been excluded from government,” he said.
“Their grievances are about their own personal interests and not about the people, not about the North, not about the masses, not about insecurity and governance.”
Reflecting on the security situation under the previous administration, Sani pointed out that despite Northern dominance in key security positions, there was little headway in tackling terrorism and banditry.
“Under the last administration, all the security apparatuses are of Northern extraction,” he recalled.
“They never stopped terrorism in the North, they never stopped banditry in Northwest, they never stopped killings in Benue State, in Plateau, and most parts of North Central states. We need to be very factual about it.”
He also highlighted the substantial representation of Northerners in President Tinubu’s cabinet, mentioning key roles like the Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Health, Defense, Transport, Environment, Agriculture, and the Chief of Defense Staff.
“For us in the Northern part of the country, we are very much glad, particularly the people from Kaduna State,” he said.
Acknowledging that insecurity still poses challenges, Sani noted that conditions have improved under the current administration, especially in parts of Kaduna.
“Bandits are still killing people, they are kidnapping people in Katsina State, they are still doing that in Zamfara State,” he admitted.
“But if we are going to compare it to where we are coming from, I think things are better.”
He cited the now-safer Birnin Gwari road, which had previously seen relentless attacks.
“Banditry happened every hour, not every day for eight years along Birnin Gwari road. Now people can travel day and night,” he said.
“When last did you hear an attack since the attack on Kuriga school? When last did you hear an attack on any school in the state?”
Sani also pointed to recent federal investments in Kaduna State, including a new medical centre, a federal university in Southern Kaduna, and increased funding for the Kaduna–Abuja highway.
“We have seen many things that were brought in, and we only demand more,” he added.
“But my message is also to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu that more should be done in terms of addressing challenges in the Northern part of Nigeria, and critics should be listened to, and where there is lies, it should be responded to. And this country will be great if there is development in all parts of Nigeria.”
