Tinubu Government Misleads Nigerians, Lists Projects Done In Other Regions For North-West To Make Up Numbers

A SaharaReporters' review of data published by the Bola Tinubu administration on Monday showing segregation of projects awarded per region has revealed misrepresentation.

On Monday, Tinubu released his national infrastructure progress report, which he tagged, “Infrastructure Equity for Every Region. Progress for Every Nigerian. The Renewed Hope Agenda in Action.”

According to the review, the government listed 12 projects as those benefitting North-Western states. 

However, findings show that the numbers were padded, with two projects ideally meant for the North-East and another two from the North-Central region of the country.

For instance, the 110km Damaturu–Maiduguri road was listed under North-Western projects. 

Meanwhile, Damaturu is the capital of Yobe State and Maiduguri is the capital of Borno State — both in the North-East.

Similarly, the Bama and Dikwa roads, both in Borno State, were listed under North-Western projects. 

The Lokoja–Okene road dualisation was also included under North-Western projects. However, both locations are in Kogi State, which is in the North-Central region. 

The Benue–9th Mile road was likewise listed as a North-Western project, though it is in the North-Central region.

Further review shows that while the administration listed two North-Central projects under the North-West, it also listed them again under the North-Central region, amounting to double entries. 

Likewise, projects meant for the North-East but placed under the North-West were still listed again under the North-East.

In April, the Tinubu-led Presidency maintained that President Bola Tinubu's appointments would continue to be based on “merit, integrity, geographical spread, and demonstrable capacity to serve the Nigerian people.” 

This statement followed Senator Ali Ndume’s accusation that the government was guilty of regional bias.

SaharaReporters earlier reported that Senator Ndume, who represents Borno South Senatorial District, accused President Tinubu of breaching the constitutional principle of federal character in his political appointments during an Arise TV programme.

In July, the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) also accused the Tinubu-led Nigerian government of sidelining the North in budget allocations and critical development, despite the region contributing more than 64% of the total votes that brought him to power.

The comments were made at a two-day citizen engagement forum organised by the Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Foundation in Kaduna. Alhaji Bashir M. Dalhatu, Wazirin Dutse and Chairman of the ACF Board of Trustees, alleged that the North had been “largely excluded” from key governance processes.

“The North, which contributed over 64% of Tinubu’s total votes in the 2023 general elections, has been largely excluded from critical policy decisions and project implementation,” he had said.

Earlier, SaharaReporters reviewed Tinubu’s national infrastructure progress report, in which he claimed his administration had maintained equitable governance and infrastructural development. 

That review showed that the South-East and North-East regions of the country were the least beneficiaries. 

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