Afenifere Counters Kwankwaso’s Claims of Southern Favoritism in Resource Allocation

Yoruba Group Denounces Former Kano Governor’s “Dangerous Rhetoric”

The Pan-Yoruba sociocultural organization Afenifere has strongly rejected recent statements by former Kano State Governor Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso alleging disproportionate allocation of national resources to southern Nigeria. The group described Kwankwaso’s remarks as “not only unfair but deeply dangerous” for national unity.

The Controversial Claims

During a stakeholders’ dialogue on constitutional amendments in Kano last Thursday, Kwankwaso warned that national resources were increasingly being tilted toward southern states, resulting in worsening poverty and insecurity across northern regions. The former governor and presidential candidate cited his recent road travel experience from Abuja to Kano via Kaduna as evidence, describing the journey as “hell” due to poor road conditions.

“Kwankwaso’s alarmist rhetoric stokes regional tension and paints a false picture of deliberate southern favoritism,” said Afenifere’s National Organizing Secretary Otunba Kole Omololu in a detailed rebuttal.

Afenifere’s Counterarguments

The Yoruba organization challenged Kwankwaso’s narrative with several key points:

• Historical Context: Afenifere noted that northern Nigeria benefited disproportionately during the eight-year administration of President Muhammadu Buhari, a northerner.
• Infrastructure Projects: The group highlighted how the Buhari administration prioritized northern projects like the Kano-Maradi railway into Niger Republic while leaving critical southern infrastructure like the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway and Second Niger Bridge incomplete.
• Current Developments: Afenifere pointed out that President Bola Tinubu’s administration has already initiated major northern projects including the Kano-Maiduguri Road dualization, Sokoto-Tambuwal-Jega Road, and the AKK gas pipeline.

Questioning the Timing

Afenifere questioned why Kwankwaso remained silent during the Buhari years when World Bank officials confirmed being directed to focus interventions specifically on northern states. “Where was Kwankwaso’s voice for equity and fairness then?” the statement asked.

The organization also noted that Tinubu’s administration hasn’t yet reached its halfway mark, making Kwankwaso’s criticism premature. “By 2027, and indeed by 2031, every region, including the North, will feel the impact of this administration,” Afenifere predicted.

Call for Statesmanship

In its concluding remarks, Afenifere urged the former governor to rise above sectional politics: “Let statesmen, not ethnic lords, shape the conversation.” The group warned against divisive rhetoric that could undermine national unity, especially from experienced politicians who should know better.

The exchange highlights growing tensions over Nigeria’s regional development disparities as the country continues to grapple with equitable resource distribution challenges. Political analysts suggest such debates will likely intensify as the 2027 elections approach.

For more details, read the original report on Leadership News.