Politics
ANGO ABDULLAHI: Is This the Leadership the North Deserves st a Time Like This? – Ndi Kato
I refuse to put my elders through this.
Through the pain of remembering each injustice meted out against them with each derogatory word aimed at lowering them to a level they were constantly pushed to.
I refuse to put my elders through the stress of responding to words they are older than; because I know that my elders have outgrown these words. Not that my elders have ever stooped to the bottom of the verbal barrel but they have outgrown having to listen to it or acknowledging it.
I refuse to let them expend any form of emotions on these tantrums so I will do it myself. A young woman from the Middle Belt who was born years after Professor Ango Abdullahi served as Vice Chancellor of Ahmadu Bello University will respond to this and if Ango Abdullahi wants to keep descending beyond this, the old gentleman is welcome to by all means… I love the idea of dancing naked in the market square; it is amusing to us onlookers.
I grew up witnessing crisis after crisis in my region with the mass murder of people I hold dear being at the centre of it all; I am now almost in my 30s and there is no change, NOTHING! We are still losing lives for any reason at all and the reasons are thrown at us with no second thought because THE LIFE OF THE NIGERIAN, INCLUDING THE LIVES OF MY PEOPLE IN THE MIDDLE BELT HAVE BEEN GREATLY DEVALUED.
My elders had to live through occupation of their land under the pretext of this “Northern Unity” Ango Abdullahi speaks of, many did not get to the expected apexes of their careers, many sacrificed their dreams and the dreams of their people for this unity; Mr Abdullahi should be all too familiar with this. It is worthy of note that a man with such a mindset was once a Vice Chancellor of a Federal University and any serious country would investigate his tenure and the treatment of people who do not come from his region.
How were students and lecturers from other parts of Nigeria treated? Did you wake up thinking that two Southern lecturers shaking hands in the morning were planning to destabilize the school to topple you as VC? Did you go into your office with thoughts of how to dismiss them in a fit of paranoia? Your utterances beg the question.
Every single time we see statements from you, we are tempted to review your actions.
Moving forward, Ango Abdullahi referred to us Middle Belters as “Our Middle Belters”; a region so tired of bloodshed, a region trying to reclaim itself is still referred to by Mr Abdullahi with a sense of ownership. When did we become “Our”? A professor knows all too well semantics and the politics of words; he didn’t just say it, he meant ownership.
Sir, it is 2018, feudal behaviours have no place here. No region owns another. If no one else will tell you, I will.
Here is where it gets even more troubling, Ango Abdullahi was asked if he was trying to justify the herdsmen killings and he maintained “I AM JUSTIFYING IT VERY STRONGLY BECAUSE HERDSMEN ARE BEING UNJUSTLY TREATED IN THIS COUNTRY”.
Let us look closely at what Ango Abdullahi, a former Vice Chancellor of a Federal University in Nigeria is justifying.
• Continuous mass murder of Nigerians spread from Zamfara to South East, South West and South South.
• A breakdown of law and order which Senator Kabiru Marafa cried about in the senate where these armed groups have constituted themselves an authority over the populace, operating as a mini government while terrorising the people. THIS IS THE CASE IN ZAMFARA.
• Pending starvation and shortage in food production from farming communities who can no longer sustain the Nation because their farms are now death traps.
• Erasure of the culture and entire heritage of Nigerians who have to flee their communities and are often replaced by these attackers who end up settling after displacing the people.
• RAPE: YES!!! Ango Abdullahi’s response said he was justifying these actions strongly. I know Ango Abdullahi reads the news, I know he knows of the young girls and women kidnapped in Zamfara during these attacks. I know he reads about the women raped and killed in Plateau and Southern Kaduna YET Ango Abdullahi STRONLGY JUSTIFIES THESE ACTIONS.
• He justifies theft, kidnapping and armed robbery too.
• Ango Abdullahi justifies the killing of policemen; last week one of the policemen had his eyes and other vital organs gouged out. Ango Abdullahi thinks this is right.
• The displacement of 100s of thousands of Nigerians and the Nigerian government dealing with IDP situations that the Nation’s present economic situation and policies are not equipped for.
• Ango Abdullahi justifies widespread insecurity in the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
What Ango Abdullahi is thus saying is that if he feels within himself that he is not being treated the way he wants to, He can turn Nigeria upside down as he pleases and that is EXACTLY WHAT HE IS DOING WITH HIS WORDS.
Departing from my region, let us look at his words in the context of the North seeing as he is the spokesperson of the Northern Elders Forum (NEF). The same North the good people of Zamfara State belong to. I do not know how the people of Zamfara are coping at the moment, suffering this unfathomable pain of murder, poverty by way of horrendous leadership and a complete lack of representation by the people who should stand in for them; How are they coping knowing that the spokesperson of the Northern Elders Forum, THEIR OWN ELDERS think that the attacks against them are justified?
Zamfara state suffered meningitis outbreak, no word from their elders. The rest of the nation watched as meningitis ravaged part of the North with the government doing little to nothing and BLAMING the people saying their iniquities brought this upon them. Hunger and strife has visited the people now more than ever and NO WORDS, NO INTERVENTION FROM THE ELDERS. Add all these to the complete disregard for the life of the average Northerner by those who should protect them and then we can discuss who is playing politics with what.
And now we have the SPOKESPERSON OF THEIR ELDERS FORUM SAYING HE JUSTIFIES THE KILLINGS AGAINST THEM. Did the babies slaughtered in Zamfara in your own region attack anyone? Why do you, Ango Abdullahi think they deserve to die?
This was to be in response to Ango Abdullahi for his paranoia laced, derogatory comments against other parts of the country but I cannot help but cry out for the people under the Northern Elders Forum, the people of the North who are suffering and dying while the likes of Ango Abdullahi play politics with their very existence and beat the drums of war knowing very well that neither he nor any of his descendants will be here to dance to the tune.
I have searched through everything and every bit of history and I cannot see what the people of Northern Nigeria have done to deserve this kind of leadership; it is unacceptable for any region that intends to survive and stand a chance at growth; AREWA DESERVES BETTER!
Someone has to speak up for the North as others are rising up to speak up for their own people and represent them in a civil manner. Someone has to say that Arewa deserves better from the people they consider leaders, someone has to say that the life of the average Northerner who is a poor man trying to get by matters, someone… ANYONE, has to stand up and say this deliberate underdevelopment by the leaders in Northern Nigeria should be switched for a better deal. That the schools and the hospitals should be built better, that there is a drug problem that needs fixing, that young boys and girls should be given proper education.
That policy and research centres should be set up and that maternal mortality should be given a very near future exit date.
SOMEONE HAS TO SAY THESE THINGS and as it stands, Ango Abdullahi and the era, the mindset and social construct he represents IS NOT THAT PERSON.
THIS IS NOT THE REPRESENTATION THE NORTH DESERVES.
Leaders from other regions are not perfect but at least you can see efforts and remorse and an effort to right missteps and patch the leadership vacuum facing our ailing nation not parading ostentatiously at a time like this.
In conclusion, regions coming together to celebrate friendship with each other is not your problem. Celebrating murder is not what you were put on earth to do; God frowns on it. We are a nation facing an existential crisis and all well meaning leaders are standing up to see how they can stabilize things, it is a shame that this is what you have to contribute at a time like this.
I did start by saying that I will not let my elders go through the distress of responding to what you have said and I will end by calling you to order and reminding you of the duty you owe Northerners as an elder and that is sensible leadership at a time like this not drumming the beat of war.
Wisdom is profitable to direct.
Thank You.
Ndi Kato,
Coordinator of Public Communication for the Middle Belt Forum
Politics
2027 BATTLE: How Much Nigeria Can Save, Invest In Infrastructure By Rotating Power Among Six Geo-political Zones For A Single Term Of Five Or Six Years
2027 BATTLE: How Much Nigeria Can Save, Invest In Infrastructure By Rotating Power Among Six Geo-political Zones For A Single Term Of Five Or Six Years
As a Southernern, particularly from the South East Geo-Political Zone, I believe the most potent argument for us in 2027 is that the North/South zoning arrangement of political power at the center is a scam. It’s a scam because it has only benefitted the South West and the North West geo-political zones since the return of ‘democracy’ (civil rule) in Nigeria on May 29, 1999. Nigeria, it must be clarified has six geo-political zones, not two.
Nigeria was divided into six geo-political zones in 1996 by the military government of General Sanni Abacha. This new zoning arrangement was a brainchild of the 1994/1995 Constitutional Conference chaired by the late Justice Adolphus Karibi-Whyte and empaneled by General Sanni Abacha.
At that Conference, no less a person than former Vice President Chief Alex Ekwueme and a group called Mkpoko Igbo proposed that since Nigeria will now be divided into six geo-political zones, to give all zones a sense of belonging within the Nigerian State, that power at the center should rotate among the six geo-political zones for a single term of five or six years. In their thinking, if power was rotated among the six geo-political zones for a single term of five or six years, within 30 years or 36 years, all six zones would have had one of their own leading Nigeria, particularly, from their first 11 (primus inter pares). The North and the South West delegations at that conference pooh-poohed Chief Alex Ekwueme and summarily shut down that all-important proposal. The rest they say is history.
More than 30 years later, there is yet no national peace, national cohesion, national political stability, national unity, and national loyalty to the Nigerian State. Had the proposal of Chief Alex Ekwueme and Mkpoko Igbo been adopted and implemented since 1999, at least, the 5th Geo-Political Zone would have had one of their own in Aso Villa today, and by 2035, the last geo-political zone would have being sending us one of their own to contest the Presidency across Nigeria’s current 18 political parties. This mathematics is if we had gone with a single term of six years (the maximum limit) as proposed by Dr. Ekwueme and the South East and South South delegates in that 1994/1995 Constitutional Conference.
Fast forward to today, in his recent Arise TV interview, and in some other public and private fora, H.E. Atiku Abubakar asked for Dr. Ekwueme’s forgiveness as he was among key Northern delegates in that Constitutional Conference from the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua group that opposed the rotational presidency among Nigeria’s geo-political zones. Waziri Adamawa had disclosed that he even apologized to Alex Ekwueme when he visited Oko, Anambra State, to pay homage to the former late vice president sometime in 2017/2018.
By and large, for 2027, I believe that the most potent argument that will sell in the South East is that the North East where Waziri Adamawa hails from, just like the South East (our region), had also been marginalized in the scheme of things in Nigeria. Aside from Alhaji Tafawa Balewa from Bauchi State (North East), nobody from the region/zone has been head of national government, head of state, or even president since 1966.
So, H.E. Atiku Abubakar is right in contesting the Presidential election billed for January 16, 2027, to right this wrong, and return Nigeria’s presidency to an equitable distribution of power at the center. When elected, and it’s entrenched in the Nigerian 1999 Constitution (as amended), that power rotates among the six geo-political zones for a single term of five or six years, this new formula will bring about national peace, national cohesion, national unity, and tremendously commandeer national loyalty among Nigerians from across the six geo-political zones for their beloved country, the Nigerian State.
As a budding political scientist of repute and ardent student of contemporary Nigerian history and politics, let me tell us what this formular would do for the Nigerian State. The battle for the soul of the Nigerian State will be ferocious at the zonal level, while the center will become unattractive. So, let’s say it is the turn of the North East Geo-Political Zone to produce the Presidency in 2027, the battle to gift Nigerians their First 11 (primus inter pares) will be ferocious across the States in the region. The people of Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, Taraba, and Yobe will now be more interested in partisan politics, thus being proactive participants within the current 18 political parties in Nigeria.
Giving Nigeria’s configurations and peculiarities, one of the positives of this political proactiveness is that it’s a win-win situation for the entire region if a man from Adamawa becomes President of Nigeria in 2027. The people from Yobe, Borno, Taraba, Gombe, and Bauchi will be largely happy, contented, hold their peace, love Nigeria better, and be more loyal to the Nigerian State because one of their own is now the GCFR, the primus inter pares, and the No. 1 Citizen of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The steep insecurity that has ravaged the North East Geo-Political Zone since 2009, largely owing to perceived agelong marginalisation, oppression, injustices, would largely die down.
This will be the same case for the South East Geo-Political Zone. Biafra secessionist agitations, IPOB, ESN led by Nnamdi Kanu, will die a natural death. Justice and equity for all breeds contentment among men, and contentment among men births peace, unity, commandeers loyalty, and tremendously brings about prosperity. I stand to be challenged on this self-evident truth on any national television station.
When it is the turn of another region to produce the Presidency, after the North East has had their turn, all political parties in Nigeria must constitutionally present a Presidential candidate from the region whose turn it is to produce the presidency for a single term of six years. This rotational presidency formula must be entrenched in Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution (as amended) by May 29, 2027.
I avow that rotational presidency among Nigeria’s six geo-political zones for a single term of five or six years is the best political science solution to the agelong hydra-headed problem of Nigeria, especially in the guise of disunity, unpeaceful, and disloyalty problems among Nigerian citizens. Doing this will also largely curtail the executive rascalities, legislative rascalities, and judicial rascalities currently being perpetrated by the Bola Ahmed Tinubu led Executive arm; the Godswill Akpabio led Legislative arm; and the CJN Kudirat Motonmori Olatokunbo Kekere-Ekun led Judiciary arm.
The over desperation of getting re-elected for a second term in office, as shown today by Bola Tinubu, will be eraced for future Nigerian Presidents. The humongous money and depletion of Nigeria’s national treasury just for seeking re-election at all cost, and conducting elections will also be erased.
The Highfalutin, Draining Cost Of Conducting Elections In Nigeria?
For the 2023 general election, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) proposed N305 billion in May 2022, which was a 62 percent increase over the 2019 budget. Ultimately, the National Assembly approved N355 billion for the exercise, though the commission spent N313.4 billion as of September 2023.
For the 2027 general election, INEC Chairman Prof. Joash Amupitan proposed a total budget of N873.78 billion to the National Assembly in February 2026. This proposal includes N375.75 billion for election operations, N209.21 billion for technology, and N92.31 billion for administrative costs. The Bola Ahmed Tinubu led APC regime had previously allocated N1.01 trillion to INEC in the 2026 budget presented in January 2026.
Ladies and gentlemen, INEC’s election budget ballooned from N355 billion in 2023 to a whopping N873.78 billion for a re-election season in 2027? This is approximately a percentage increase of 146.13%. This is unacceptable, opprobrious, and insalubrious.
If we entrench in the Nigerian 1999 Constitution (as amended), zoning the presidency among the six geo-political zones for a single term of five or six years, this proposed N873.78 billion to coduct the 2027 re-election season would have been eliminated.
What Can N873.78 billion Do For Nigerians In Terms Of Infrastructural Developmental Projects?
If hypothetically redirected or matched in scale for infrastructure development, N873.78 billion could significantly advance Nigeria’s infrastructure across key sectors:
1. Roads and Transportation: This amount could fund the rehabilitation of over 10,000 kilometers (6213.712 miles) of rural and urban roads, especially when combined with technical support from institutions like the World Bank’s RAAMP-SU project.
It could complete critical projects like the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway or support the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, enhancing regional connectivity and trade.
2. Railway Development: Based on past projects, N873 billion could finance a new 600–800 km (373-497 miles) standard gauge rail line, similar to the Abuja-Kaduna or Lagos-Ibadan lines, which were partially funded by Chinese loans.
Rail expansion would boost freight movement, reduce road congestion, and create thousands of jobs.
3. Power and Energy: The sum could support renewable energy projects, such as solar mini-grids for 10,000 rural communities, or fund transmission infrastructure to reduce power losses.
For context, Power Africa facilitated $63 million in renewable energy investments over 26 months—N873 billion could scale such efforts dramatically.
4. Water and Sanitation: Funds could build or upgrade water treatment plants, boreholes, and sanitation systems in underserved urban and rural areas, improving public health and reducing waterborne diseases.
5. Agricultural Infrastructure: The NSIA’s Multipurpose Industrial Platform Ltd (MIPL) in Akwa Ibom, including an ammonia and fertilizer plant, is a multi-billion-dollar project. N873 billion could fund multiple such agro-industrial hubs, boosting food security and reducing import dependence.
Analyzing The Current Infrastructure Spending In Nigeria In Relation To N873.78 Billion?
For comparison, Nigeria’s actual infrastructure allocations are much lower than the humongous money INEC is proposing to conduct the shaky 2027 general elections in Nigeria.
The 2025 Federal Budget allocated ₦4.06 trillion ($2.7 billion) for infrastructure—about 7.4% of total spending.
The National Integrated Infrastructure Master Plan (NIIMP) aims to raise infrastructure stock to 70% of GDP by 2043, requiring $100 billion annually—far above current spending levels.
Pension funds invested ₦262.57 billion in infrastructure in the first 10 months of 2025. This is below N873.78 billion being earmarked for the 2027 elections.
Without mincing words, let me aver that the N873.78 billion could transform infrastructural developmental projects in Nigeria, But the fact that this amount is proposed for elections, not infrastructural developmental projects, highlights a mismatch between public needs and government spending priorities in Nigeria, especially under the disastrous APC regime of Bola Tinubu.
Conclusion
While N873.78 billion is earmarked for elections, its scale underscores what Nigeria could achieve in infrastructure if similar resources were consistently invested. Redirecting even a fraction of election budgets toward roads, power, rail, water, and agriculture could accelerate economic growth, create jobs, and improve quality of life in Nigeria. However, transparency, accountability, and long-term planning are essential to ensure such investments yield lasting benefits.
Finally, ladies and gentlemen, let’s consider the substantial ingredients of this political seminal and fix this mess of power rotation at the center among Nigeria’s six geo-political zones for a single term of five or six years. Let’s stop wasting scarce resources in Nigeria conducting re-elections at the center and across state levels. Let’s stop wasting everybody’s time in Nigeria.
Ikenna Asomba is a political scientist and journalist. He writes from the State of Illinois, United States.
Politics
2027 BOMBSHELL: Dismantling The Myth Around Kwankwaso’s So-Called Electoral Dominance In Kano
2027 BOMBSHELL: Dismantling The Myth Around Kwankwaso’s So-Called Electoral Dominance In Kano
Politics
I am fully ready for the 2027 general elections”- ADP, presidential aspirant, Prof. Omolaja, declares
“I am fully ready for the 2027 general elections”- ADP, presidential aspirant, Prof. Omolaja, declares.
By Comrade Samson Ajibade Alabi, NLP Media Director
A presidential aspirant under the Action Democratic Party (ADP), Prof Muhammad Omolaja, has said that he is fully ready for the 2027 general elections especially the presidential contest.
Prof. Omolaja who disclosed this in an exclusive interview with pressmen in Abuja on Tuesday, May 12, 2026, said he has done his consultations with leaders of the Party, boasting that he is the next president of Nigeria by the grace of God.
He submitted that he has won the heart of the people at the grassroots across all the States and geopolitical zones including the federal capital territory (FCT); and convinced them about his clear vision and mission for Nigeria.
According to him, Nigerians are tired of the APC government and ready to vote them out in favour of his Party; the ADP!
Prof. Omolaja added that ADP is the only Party that can liberate Nigeria and rescue the citizens from the prevailing insecurity and other challenges facing the country.
The presidential aspirant said “you are asking me if I am ready for the 2027 general elections or not, I hereby inform you categorically that I am fully ready for the election; we have done what to be done, we have systematically carried Nigerians along in our preparations especially the people at the grassroots; and we have let them know that ADP is the only credible alternative Party that can liberate them from all the challenges the country is facing under the prevailing APC government. I am confident that I will get the ticket of our great Party being the leading contestant, and win the upcoming 2027 presidential election by the special grace of the Almighty God”
He therefore urged Nigerians to rally support for him and his Party (ADP) at the polls in the spirit of peace, love, unity, and patriotism in Nigeria.
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