“Claims of Northern Marginalisation Under Tinubu Unfounded” — Group

The Nigeria First Project Initiative (PFRI) has dismissed claims that northern Nigeria is being sidelined under the administration of Bola Tinubu, stating that such allegations lack supporting evidence.

In a statement issued on Sunday, the group said assertions of exclusion in political appointments and infrastructure development are not backed by publicly available records. It attributed the narrative to opposition figures, critics, and sections of the media.

PFRI cited ongoing federal projects in the region, including the Abuja–Kaduna–Zaria–Kano expressway and the Kano–Maradi railway line, as indicators of continued government investment. It also referenced progress on the Sokoto–Badagry superhighway, noting that attention has been skewed toward the Lagos–Calabar coastal highway.

The group further highlighted the north’s presence in key federal positions, including the vice-presidency, the speakership of the House of Representatives, the deputy senate presidency, and the national chairmanship of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

It added that several major ministries—such as defence, agriculture, health, housing, and information—are headed by northerners, alongside numerous advisory and agency roles.

On governance reforms, PFRI pointed to efforts to introduce state police through constitutional amendments and to strengthen local government autonomy following a Supreme Court ruling mandating direct allocation of funds to local councils.

The group said these measures are beginning to produce results at the grassroots level and argued that regional development should not be viewed as solely dependent on federal actions.

The statement was signed by Hamza Saulawa, national coordinator of the group, and Bishir Dauda, director of research and documentation.