Former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, has dismissed claims that President Bola Tinubu or the southern region is to blame for the challenges facing northern Nigeria.
Speaking at a town hall meeting for Christian leaders in northern Nigeria, Dogara emphasized that the North’s underdevelopment stems from decades of mismanagement by its own leaders.
Dogara, addressing the event themed “Church and Society: Tax Reforms and Matters Arising,” lamented the North’s lack of progress despite holding power in Nigeria for over 40 years. He criticized past northern leaders for squandering opportunities to develop the region.
“We are all northerners, and it should be made clear that President Tinubu or the South is not our problem. They have not come to cheat the North. That is out of the question. Some are claiming that Yoruba people are getting appointments, but let’s reflect. We ruled this country for over 40 years when northerners were in power. What did we achieve? The North remains the same, impoverished by our own leaders,” Dogara said.
Highlighting the misuse of federal resources, Dogara questioned how state governors in the region have managed allocations and revenues such as Value Added Tax (VAT). “We have had so much, but what did our governors do with the resources? They squandered them instead of investing in meaningful development,” he said.
Dogara also referenced the Ajaokuta Steel Industry, an initiative of the Shagari administration, which was almost completed before being abandoned. “The project was almost finished, yet it was left to rot,” he remarked.
The former Speaker called on northerners to support President Tinubu’s efforts to revitalize the nation, particularly through tax reforms currently awaiting approval by the National Assembly. He urged collaboration to ensure Nigeria’s progress, starting with addressing key economic and governance challenges.
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