Shehu Sani, a former senator who represented Kaduna Central, Senatorial District has criticized past Northern political leaders for failing to leverage their time in power to transform the region. Speaking at a press briefing at his Kaduna residence on Monday, Sani expressed disappointment over the underdevelopment of the North despite having produced two presidents since the return to democracy in 1999.
He pointed out that both the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua and former President Muhammadu Buhari—both from Katsina state—held the presidency for a total of 11 years, yet the region remains underdeveloped.
Sani praised the current administration of for his achievements and called on
northerners to support the progress made so far.
He also urged them to rally behind Tinubu in the 2027 elections.
Sani said,
“For those of us from the North, we must acknowledge the gains made by this administration.
“Those who had the opportunity to do better but failed should apologize to the people of the region instead of inciting discontent”.
He warned against tribal or regional sentiments being used to discredit the current administration.
According to him, some political actors from the North, who failed to deliver during their time in power, are now attempting to sow division purely out of personal interest.
“Northerners must not allow themselves to be manipulated against a government that, in many respects, has outperformed the one that originated from their own region.
“Let us remember that the Southwest stood solidly behind the North during Buhari’s tenure and never posed any significant opposition to his rule,” Sani said.
He argued that, in the spirit of equity and fairness, the South—particularly the Southwest—should be allowed to complete their eight-year presidential tenure, whether under the ruling party or the opposition.
“It would be just and equitable, even if the opposition fields a presidential candidate, he should come from the Southwest. That is what fairness and justice demand,” he stated.
Sani accused some Northern politicians of using public grievances as a smokescreen for their personal frustrations over exclusion from power.
“Their protests are not about the masses, not about insecurity, not about governance, they are about their own political ambitions,” he said.
He recalled that under the administration of Buhari, all heads of security agencies were Northerners, yet the region remained plagued by terrorism, banditry, and widespread violence.
He added that while President Tinubu’s government still features significant Northern representation, there has been relative improvement in the security situation.
According to him, under the present administration, Northerners in key ministerial and security roles incude the ministers of Foreign Affairs, Health, Defence, State for Defence, Transport, Environment, Agriculture, State for Agriculture, and State for Works.
“Even the newly created Ministry of Livestock is headed by a Northerner. The Chief of Defence Staff is also from the North. We in Kaduna, in particular, appreciate this representation,” he said.
Sani acknowledged that insecurity persists, especially in Katsina and Zamfara states, where banditry and kidnappings remain serious concerns.
He however noted that the situation has improved when compared to previous administrations.
“In comparing the administration led by someone from our region with the current one led by someone outside our region, it is clear that the latter has delivered more tangible progress. We, in the North, must recognize and appreciate this,” Sani said.
Shehu Sani: Northern leaders squandered opportunities to develop region
