The governor met with northern leaders in Kano.
Governor Rabi’u Kwankwaso of Kano says Nigeria is drifting because President Goodluck Jonathan lacks the competence and courage to manage the affairs of the country appropriately.
The governor, who stated this during a meeting with the leadership of Northern Elders Forum, NEF, at the Government House in Kano, on Tuesday night, said despite advice and observations from leaders from within and outside the country on how to put Nigeria on the right track, the presidency was insensitive.
“When we met with the president, as Northern Governors, he told us that the former US Secretary of State, Hilary Clinton, told him that as President he has to look at the issue of the North very critically. She noted that there was an imbalance in terms of patronage, appointments and sharing of resources.
“He assured that he was looking at those comments and that was why he was delaying appointments into boards and so on. Since that meeting, we have not seen anything or changes. So it is my conclusion that the President lacks the capacity and courage to do the right thing”, the governor stated.
Mr. Kwankwaso also claimed that the federal budget is heavily tilted in favour of one section of the country, pointing out that a situation where one section of the country is suffering from illiteracy, underdevelopment and misery while the other section has more than enough is not good for national unity.
The governor maintained that a situation whereby a section of the country is given priority over other areas is not in the best interest of all, pointing out that it is time for the Federal Government to be sensitive to what is being felt by the international community.
“We have had enough crises in this country and it is not right to plant seeds for crisis in the future. Look at the North East that was allocated N2 billion in the current budget. N2 billion is what Mr. President allocated to non -APC states for supporting him, while N111 billion was allocated to the South East and South-South. This is not close to fairness”, the governor argued.
The governor said his position on current national issues is not premised on religion, ethnicity or sectionalism but stems from the desire to see that every Nigerian, irrespective of where he comes from, is treated without discrimination.
Mr. Kwankwaso also said it was time for members of the National Assembly to come out and oppose the injustice that is perpetrated by the government. The governor said the vices happening in Northern Nigeria should not be happening in civilized societies. He appealed to the Federal Government to listen to the voices of reason so as to move the country in the right direction.
The governor pledged to continue to work with all people of good conscience to bring about good governance in Nigeria.
Earlier, in their separate remarks, the chairman of the forum, Maitama Sule, and his deputy, Paul Unongo, explained that they were not satisfied with current political developments in the country, especially as they affect the North.
They said the visit to Mr. Kwankwaso was to identify with his achievements and sterling leadership qualities as well as to look at several issues that will bring about responsible governance, unity and even development of the country.
