North Central region of Nigeria calls for equal allocation of resources

The North Central geo-political zone in Nigeria has demanded for fairness in the allocation of resources in the country.

The Governor of Niger State Abubakar Sani Bello, said the zone has been shortchanged since the return of democracy in 1999, despite playing major role to those that have emerged Presidents of Nigeria irrespective of their political affiliation.

Niger State Governor and Chairman, North Central Governors Forum, Abubakar Sani Bello disclosed this during his interaction with the North Central Peoples Forum (NCPF) in Minna the state capital on Thursday.

Governor Sani Bello said the North Central part of Nigeria, is to be accorded its due respect and be fully compensated commensurate with its efforts during the electioneering periods in the emergence of the government at the centre.

“If we compare our efforts to the benefits, it does not match at all. We discussed this as governors and in some cases we compared results of each state as against appointments, projects and investments in the North Central States”, he added

“Henceforth, the region will demand from whosoever aspires to become the next president to meet and tell the region what offer he has for it”.

The Governor of Niger State further explained that the region must come together to decide the future of the country despite their political differences.

Security challenges

On the insecurity issue bedeviling the zone, the Governor said the North Central is among the regions affected, adding that himself and his colleagues are making tremendous efforts in tackling the challenges with the support from Mr. President and the security agencies.

“As measures to end farmers-herders clashes, all the state in the zone have been encouraged to adopt grazing reserves/ranching system to curb incessant encroachment of cattle on farms which is responsible for igniting clashes between farmers and herders”. 

Former Deputy Senate President, Senators Ibrahim Mantu and patron of the forum  commended the Governor for his efforts in tackling the security challenges in the state and his achievements in the areas of education, health and infrastructural development in the state.

Lt. General Jeremiah T. Useni, a one time senator in the country, who also is the Chairman, Board of Trustee (BOT), North Central Peoples Forum NCPF, said the forum is non-partisan, but has it as its ultimate goal the pursuit of the growth and development of the North Central part of Nigeria.

Emmanuel Ukoh