Governor Rabi’u Kwankwaso of Kano state says Nigeria is drifting towards
calamity because the serving President lacks the competence and guts to
manage the affairs of the country appropriately.
The governor, who stated this during a meeting with the leadership of
Northern Elders Forum at the Government House in Kano, on Tuesday night,
said despite advice and observations from respected leaders and leaders
from within and outside the country on how to put Nigeria on the right
track, the presidency has been insensitive.
“When we met with the president, as Northern Governors, he told us that
the former US Secretary of State, Lady Clinton, told him that as President
he has to look at the issue of the North very critically. She noted that
there was an imbalance in terms of patronage, appointments and sharing of
resources.
“He assured that he was looking at those comments and that was why he was
delaying appointments into boards and so on. Since that meeting, we have
not seen anything or changes so it is my conclusion that the President
lacks the capacity and courage to do the right thing”, the governor
stated.
He lamented that the federal budget is heavily tilted in favour of one
section of the country, pointing out that a situation where one section of
the country is suffering from illiteracy, underdevelopment and misery
while the other section has more than enough is not good for national
unity.
The governor maintained that a situation whereby a section of the country
is given priority over other areas is not in the best interest of all,
pointing out that it is high time for the Federal Government to be
sensitive to what is being felt by the international community.
“We have had enough crises in this country and it is not right to plant
seeds for crisis in the future. Look at the North East that was allocated
N2 billion in the current budget. N2 billion is what Mr. President
allocated to non-APC states for supporting him, while N111 billion was
allocated to the South East and South-South. This is not close to
fairness”, the governor argued.
Stressing that his position on current national issues is not premised on
religion, ethnicity or sectionalism but stems from the desire to see that
every Nigerian, irrespective where he comes from is treated without
discrimination, Kwankwaso asserted that it is time for members of the
National Assembly to come out and oppose injustice that is perpetrated by
the government.
The governor noted that what is happening in the country in terms of
poverty, insecurity and joblessness in the North today should not be
happening in civilized societies, appealing to the Federal Government to
listen to the voices of reason so as to move the country in the right
direction.
Turning to the Northern Elders, Forum, Governor Kwankwaso said he and its
members are like minds that are not sleeping comfortably because things
are not moving well in the country. He pledged to continue to work with
all people of good conscience to bring about good governance in Nigeria.
Earlier, in their separate remarks, the chairman of the forum, Alhaji
Yusuf Maitama Sule, Danmasanin Kano and his deputy, Wanteregh Paul Unongo
explained that they are not satisfied with current political developments
in the country, especially as they affect the North.
They said the visit to Kwankwaso was to identify with his achievements and
sterling leadership qualities as well as to look at several issues that
will bring about responsible governance, unity and even development of the
country.