Rabiu Kwankwaso, former Kano State governor and 2023 NNPP presidential candidate, has slammed the federal government for allegedly diverting national resources to a single region.
He warned that the unequal allocation is worsening poverty and insecurity in northern Nigeria.
Speaking at a Kano stakeholders’ dialogue on the 2025 constitutional amendment, Kwankwaso said the north is being sidelined in key infrastructure and development plans.
“The issues we face today, especially in this region, are due to mismanagement of resources,” he said. “This cuts across national, state, and local governments.”
He accused some lawmakers and political elites of being compromised.
According to him, some wealthy individuals now bribe legislators to sway budget allocations in favour of certain regions.
Kwankwaso stressed that the national budget has become lopsided. He argued that infrastructure projects are being concentrated in select areas while the north is left to suffer.
He shared a personal experience to highlight the neglect.
After a cancelled flight, he had to drive from Abuja to Kano. The road, he said, was in terrible condition and had seen little progress despite being under construction for years.
‘”Meanwhile, we hear of a new highway from the south to the east,” he said. “We support development everywhere. But when our money is taken and used in one region while others are abandoned, that’s unacceptable.”
Kwankwaso urged lawmakers to use the constitutional amendment as a chance to restore balance and fairness in governance.
“This is the time for the government to prove it belongs to every Nigerian, not just one side,” he added.
His comments come as tensions grow over budget priorities, especially with recent allocations like the $3 billion Eastern rail line announced by the federal government.
Kwankwaso’s remarks reflect wider frustration across the north over what many see as political and economic marginalization.
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