The Southern Solidarity Alliance (SSA) has issued a strong statement rejecting recent remarks by former Kano State Governor and presidential candidate, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, alleging that the Tinubu administration has marginalized Northern Nigeria.
In a statement signed by its National Coordinator, Mr. Ndubuisi Okafor, and Director of Publicity, Mr. Orakpor Emmanuel Ogheneganaye, the SSA described Kwankwaso’s claims as “unfounded” and part of a “disturbing pattern of political manipulation that must no longer be tolerated.”
The group argued that no region in Nigeria has historically benefitted more from federal dominance, appointments, and resources than the North. Citing past and current administrations, the SSA noted that even under Southern-led governments, significant attention and investment have consistently gone to Northern Nigeria.
The statement highlighted key initiatives under former President Goodluck Jonathan, including the establishment of 157 model Almajiri schools across the North, the creation of six federal universities in northern states such as Jigawa, Gombe, Kogi, Katsina, and Yobe, and the commencement of large-scale infrastructure projects like the Zungeru Hydropower Project.
The SSA also credited Jonathan’s administration, through then Minister of Agriculture Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, for channeling the highest share of agricultural support to the North in terms of fertilizers, seedlings, and financing.
“These efforts were met with persistent accusations of marginalisation, not based on facts but on political convenience because the presidency was in Southern hands,” the group said.
Turning to the current administration, the SSA commended presidential spokesperson Mr. Sunday Dare for outlining 43 ongoing federal projects in Northern Nigeria under President Bola Tinubu. These include major infrastructure projects such as the Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano Expressway, the Kaduna-Maradi rail line, Gwagwalada Power Plant, the Kolmani Oil Field development, and the revitalisation of over 1,000 healthcare centres.
According to the SSA, these projects outweigh current federal investments in the South, despite the Tinubu presidency being Southern-led.
“It is ironic that a region receiving such massive attention continues to claim neglect. The truth is that the South—comprising the Southeast, South-South, and Southwest—remains grossly underrepresented in the federal allocation of projects and resources,” the SSA stated.
The group also questioned the silence of Northern leaders during the eight-year tenure of former President Muhammadu Buhari, who they alleged focused predominantly on Northern interests.
“How many major projects did Buhari deliver in the South throughout his tenure? Where were voices like Kwankwaso then, when equity and justice were needed?” the group asked.
The SSA called on Northern political elites to abandon what it described as a “narrative of insatiability” and urged a shift towards truth, equity, and national unity.
“The era of treating federal leadership as the inherited right of one region is over. Nigeria belongs to all. The South has been patient long enough. It will no longer remain silent when unfairly targeted despite acting in the interest of the whole nation,” the statement concluded.
Reporting by Innocent Onoh