The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has accused President Bola Tinubu’s administration of marginalising Northern Nigeria in federal budget allocations and infrastructure development, despite the region’s substantial electoral support during the 2023 elections.
Speaking at a citizen engagement forum in Kaduna, ACF board of trustees chairman, Bashir M. Dalhatu, said the North, which delivered over 64% of Tinubu’s votes, has been sidelined in major policy decisions. He cited a Ministry of Works report that showed the South West received N1.394 trillion for road projects, while the North East got only N24 billion.
Dalhatu also criticised the neglect of key Northern infrastructure projects such as the Mambilla Hydroelectric Dam and the Baro Inland Port. He condemned the federal government’s allocation of less than 5% of the budget to agriculture, despite the North’s leading role in national food production, and called for a state of emergency in the power sector to support regional development.
The ACF’s concerns follow similar remarks by former presidential candidate Rabiu Kwankwaso and ex-SGF Babachir Lawal. However, governors of Kaduna and Gombe states have defended the administration, stating that campaign promises to the North are being fulfilled.
