The North-East Governors’ visit to President Bola Tinubu a few days ago was led by Borno Governor and Chairman of the North-East Governors’ Forum, Professor Babagana Zulum.
During the meeting, the governors presented a comprehensive list of neglected federal road projects in the region, urging President Tinubu to prioritize these projects in the supplementary budget. They emphasized that the poor state of roads in the North-East is fueling insecurity and hindering development.
Some key issues discussed during the visit include:
Road Infrastructure: The governors highlighted the need for improved road networks in the region, citing its impact on security and economic activities.
Oil Drilling: They also requested that President Tinubu prioritize the revival of oil drilling activities in the Kolmani oilfields and the Lake Chad basin.
Security Challenges: The North-East Governors’ Forum resolved to adopt a multidimensional approach to tackle security challenges facing the subregion.
The visit demonstrates the governors’ efforts to engage with the federal government and address the region’s pressing concerns. This development comes amidst the governors’ endorsement of President Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027, along with Vice President Kashim Shettima. What will be the outcome of President Tinubu’s meeting with North East governors?
Many political analysts believe that the outcome of President Tinubu’s meeting with the North-East governors seems promising for the region’s development.
The President has assured the governors that his administration will prioritize the completion of 17 vital road projects in the region, which will improve connectivity and boost economic activities.
Tinubu has also agreed to consider resuming oil exploration in the Kolmani and Lake Chad frontier wells, potentially creating jobs and diversifying the region’s economy.
The meeting emphasized the need for stronger collaboration between the federal and state governments to address security challenges and promote agricultural development in the region.
The President’s initiative to train manpower and deploy technology will likely help reverse insecurity and strengthen agriculture in the North-East.
Regional Development: The meeting demonstrates Tinubu’s commitment to addressing the region’s developmental needs, which may lead to increased investment and economic growth in the North-East.
Some key projects discussed include: Kano-Maiduguri Road, Port Harcourt-Jos-Bauchi-Maiduguri Railway line, Bama-Mubi-Yola Road, Wukari-Jalingo-Yola Road, Bauchi-Gombe-Biu-Damaturu Road, Damaturu-Geidam Road, Gombe-Potiskum-Damaturu-Biu Road
Overall, the meeting suggests a positive outcome for the North-East region, with potential benefits for infrastructure, economy, security, and agriculture.
The North-East governors have shown support for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027, but with some conditions and controversies. Here’s a breakdown:
The North-East governors, led by Governor Muhammadu Yahaya of Gombe State, initially endorsed Tinubu’s re-election bid. Governor Yahaya stated, “The North-East is fully behind the President and the Vice President. Their leadership has brought renewed hope to this region.”
However, controversy arose when Mustapha Salihu, APC’s National Vice Chairman (North-East), endorsed Tinubu’s second-term bid without mentioning Vice-President Kashim Shettima. This sparked outrage among party loyalists, with some delegates chanting “Shettima! Shettima!! Shettima!!!” in protest.
Despite the controversy, some notable APC members from the North-East have expressed support for Tinubu’s re-election bid. For instance, 4 NWC members from the North-East supported the joint ticket, while others, like Comrade Mustapha Salihu, faced backlash for not mentioning Shettima.
Some believe the controversy might affect the level of support Tinubu receives from the North-East region. Some delegates have threatened to shift allegiance to opposition parties, like the PDP, if Shettima is dropped from the ticket.
Many argue that, while there is some support for Tinubu’s re-election bid in the North-East region, the controversy surrounding Shettima’s inclusion could impact the level of enthusiasm and unity among APC members and supporters.
How strong is the North East in the Scheme of things?
The North-East region of Nigeria has a significant voting, with approximately 12,820,363 registered voters. Here’s a breakdown of the region’s voting power is as follows:
Registered Voters: 12,820,363
Completed CVR: 1,531,070
States: 6 (Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, Taraba, and Yobe)
In terms of population, the North-East has about 30,541,900 people, representing around 12% of Nigeria’s total population. The region covers nearly one-third of the country’s total area, making it the largest geopolitical zone in Nigeria.
Some key cities in the North-East include: Maiduguri: The largest city, Bauchi: A major city, Yola: A major city
Gombe: A major city, Jalingo: A major city. The region’s economy is primarily driven by livestock and crop growth, contributing significantly to Nigeria’s economy. However, the region has faced security challenges, including insurgency, which has impacted its development.
Is it true that many of the North East governors are close to Pres Tinubu?
The North-East governors, led by Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum, have a cordial relationship with President Bola Tinubu, evident from their recent meeting at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
The North-East governors who attended the meeting include:
Babagana Zulum (Borno State) – Chairman of the North-East Governors’ Forum
Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya (Gombe State), Bala Muhammad (Bauchi State), Mai Mala Buni (Yobe State)
Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri (Adamawa State), Agbu Kefas (Taraba State)
Their engagement with President Tinubu demonstrates a collaborative effort to address the region’s developmental needs and promote economic growth. The meeting’s outcome shows promise for the North-East region, with potential benefits for infrastructure, economy, security, and agriculture.
