The Northern Progressives Union (NPU) has recently issued a statement urging President Bola Tinubu to exclude former governors from the Northern region from his ministerial list. The NPU Coordinator, Mohammed Kiyawa, expressed concerns that these former governors would not contribute to meaningful development in the administration.
The appeal comes amidst growing anxiety over the delay in the release of the president’s ministerial list. Kiyawa specifically called on Tinubu to resist the temptation of appointing any of the immediate-past state governors from the North as ministers or cabinet members.
According to Kiyawa, some of these former governors betrayed the trust of the party and allegedly worked in favor of the opposition during the last presidential election. The NPU considers itself as the foot soldiers of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the region and firmly stated that former governors from the North lack the necessary capacities and capabilities to drive the development process.
The statement issued by the NPU argued that their demand is legitimate, given the misdeeds of some of these former governors during the 2023 general elections. They were accused of being moles and fifth columnists used by opposition parties, with funds allocated to them for elections being diverted for personal gain.
The group emphasized that if President Tinubu truly aims to fulfill the expectations of Nigerians through his ‘Renewed Hope’ action plan and uplift the poor, he should avoid appointing self-serving former state governors who would not bring any substantial contributions.
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The NPU coordinator described these former governors as “spent force and failed politicians” who are out of touch with the vision of the president for the country.
Furthermore, Kiyawa pointed out that during the mobilization efforts for the elections, the governor seeking inclusion in the ministerial list failed to deliver votes from his area. Specifically, Jigawa, Yobe, and Zamfara states were considered less politically astute in the North, and their voting patterns were influenced by the preferences of their key leaders rather than other factors.
In the case of Jigawa State, for example, the Hadeijia Emirate, consisting of Birniwa, Kirikasamma, Guri, Hadejia, Malam Madori, Kaugama, Auyo, and Kafin Hausa local governments, massively voted for the APC due to the fact that one of them was made the APC governorship candidate for the first time. The votes garnered were not solely a result of funds provided by the former governor.
The coordinator emphasized that the former governor did not disburse any money, and the truth is that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) outspent the APC, which contributed to the PDP’s considerable votes.
Kiyawa further stated that the APC performed well in the Ringim Emirate, which includes Ringim, Garki, Taura, and Gagarawa, mainly because of the philanthropy of a prominent individual named Gerawa, who is regarded as the biggest entrepreneur and investor in the state’s politics.
Regarding the Kazaure zone, which is the governor’s zone, there was an even split between the two parties, possibly due to a lack of goodwill and appropriate resources. The local governments in this zone include Babura, Kazaure, Gwiwa, Roni, and Yankwashi.
Additionally, Kiyawa disclosed that the PDP had a strong presence in the Gumel Emirate, comprising Gumel, Maigatari, and Sule Tankarkar local governments, largely due to traditional PDP supporters and the failure of some northern governors to mobilize their people.
The NPU’s appeal to President Bola Tinubu therefore calls for the exclusion of former governors from the North from his ministerial list, citing their alleged betrayal of the party and inability to contribute meaningfully. The group emphasized the need for capable individuals who align with the president’s vision and can drive development and progress in the country.
Source: PunchNG