Seyi Tinubu’s Food Sharing in Northern Nigeria is Humiliating, Says Ex-Governor Sule Lamido

Former Governor of Jigawa State, Sule Lamido, has strongly criticised Seyi Tinubu, son of President Bola Tinubu, over his recent food distribution efforts in northern Nigeria, describing the gesture as degrading and an insult to the legacy of the region.

Speaking in Hausa at a public gathering, Lamido said the act amounted to humiliation, questioning the motive behind the distribution of cooked food, including Danwake, during Ramadan. The food items, packaged in plastic bags bearing the images of President Tinubu and his son, were distributed in states such as Sokoto, Kano, and Niger.

Lamido expressed deep disappointment, stating that the north, known historically for producing revered leaders like Aminu Kano, Sir Ahmadu Bello, and Tafawa Balewa, was being reduced to a region dependent on handouts. “This is total humiliation. Is this how to govern or promote good governance? What Tinubu is doing to the northern people is an insult,” he said.

He urged northerners to resist what he described as a belittling and politically driven act, calling on them to protect the honour and dignity of the region. “It is up to us to unite and resist this humiliation or fold our hands and allow an outsider to come to our region and belittle us,” Lamido said.

Seyi Tinubu’s food-sharing initiative has been met with widespread backlash, with many residents and social media users criticising the move as tone-deaf and exploitative. The timing during Ramadan and the personalised branding of the food packages have further fuelled discontent, with critics accusing the President’s son of using a religious period for political gain amid ongoing economic challenges.