The Traffic

THE “NORTH” AND ITS FALSE CLAIMS
“Na True I Wan Talk Again o”

By Kunle Oyatomi

Recent claims that the Bola Tinubu administration has been one-sided in the distribution of Federal Government projects, appointments and opportunities should be taken with a pinch of salt.
It is an argument being pushed by detractors, who have sworn oaths to remain uniformed.
For those individuals, who have refused to educate themselves about the unprecedented distribution under this administration, I have chosen to confront them with the facts. Like Fela once said: “Na true I wan talk again.”
Data show that all six geo-political zones, including North-West, North-East, North-Central, South-West, South-East, and South-South, have benefitted from the administration’s commitment to balanced development and inclusivity.
President Tinubu campaigned to have a government as diverse as Nigeria, and so far, the appointments and projects shed light on his governance strategy as he tackles multiple political, economic and security crises roiling the nation.
According to federal government records, the North-West, comprising Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Sokoto and Zamfara, has received the largest share of projects worth N5.97 trillion, representing over 40 per cent of approvals since 2023.
South-South, including Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Edo and Rivers states has benefitted from projects that cost N2.41 trillion, while North-Central N1.13 trillion.
Similarly, the South-East, with N407 billion; North-East, with N400 billion and South-West excluding Lagos, with N604 billion.
For instance, the Coastal Highway, which began in Victoria Island, Lagos, and would end in Calabar, Cross River State, is around N15.6 trillion. 
Also, the Badagry to Sokoto highway, which would traverse through Sokoto, Kebbi, Niger, Kwara, Ondo, Oyo and Ogun States before connecting to Badagry in Lagos State, will cost around N2 trillion.
Appointments also show regional spread. From 2023 to 2025, many individuals across the six-geopolitical zones have been chosen to lead the administration's Renewed Hope agenda, which is producing positive results.
In the North-West, key appointments include General Christopher Musa (Chief of Defence Staff, Kaduna), Hadiza Bala Usman (Special Adviser on Policy Coordination, Kaduna), Mohammed Badaru Abubakar (Minister of Defence, Jigawa), Bello Matawalle (Minister of State for Defence, Zamfara), and Air Marshal Hasan Bala Abubakar (Chief of Air Staff, Kaduna).
From the North-East, the list features Nuhu Ribadu (National Security Adviser, Adamawa), Mohammed Buba Marwa (Chairman, NDLEA, Adamawa), and Ahmadu Musa Kida (Non-Executive Chairman, NNPC, Borno).
In the North-Central, prominent names are George Akume (Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Benue), Kemi Nandap (Comptroller-General, Immigration Service, Plateau), and Mohammed Mohammed (Director-General, National Intelligence Agency, Niger).
The South-West has produced Femi Gbajabiamila (Chief of Staff, Lagos), Wale Edun (Minister of Finance, Ogun), Yemi Cardoso (Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria, Lagos), Dele Alake (Minister of Solid Minerals, Ekiti), and Olanipekun Olukoyede (Chairman, EFCC, Ogun).
From the South-South, there is Nyesom Wike (Minister, Federal Capital Territory, Rivers), Didi Walson-Jack (Head of Civil Service of the Federation, Bayelsa), and Emmanuel Undiandeye (Chief of Defence Intelligence, Rivers).
From the South-South, there is Nyesom Wike (Minister, Federal Capital Territory, Rivers), Didi Walson-Jack (Head of Civil Service of the Federation, Bayelsa), and Emmanuel Undiandeye (Chief of Defence Intelligence, Rivers).
In the South-East, notable appointments include David Umahi (Minister of Works, Ebonyi) and Ekene Enefe (Commissioner, RMAFC, Anambra).
Given these reasons, it was no surprise that the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mr Mohammed Idris, rose up to the President's defence to dismiss claims of bias in the distribution of national projects and appointments.
He also insisted that President Tinubu has been fair to all regions of the country
Idris, who is also a beneficiary of Tinubu's fairness, stated: “In the light of recent insinuations, half-truths and fake information being circulated, we find it expedient to make it clear that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration has been guided, at all times, by principles of fairness, justice, and equity in the distribution of Federal Government projects, appointments, and opportunities in the six geopolitical zones of our country.
“The distribution of capital projects under President Tinubu is equitable. No region is playing a second fiddle or ignored. In addition to projects by Ministries, Departments and Agencies, all six regions have Regional Development Commissions to re-kickstart development efforts.
“His leadership is inclusive, his vision is unifying, and his commitment to equity and justice is unwavering. Nigerians can rest assured that under his watch, no part of this country will be left behind.
“Major infrastructural interventions are simultaneously ongoing across the federation – from highways and bridges to rail and power projects. The administration has secured funding for light rail projects in Kano and Kaduna states to the tune of N150 billion and N100 billion.”
Like this erroneous issue making the rounds, there is also the report by Chatham House, a leading UK-based independent policy institute, which said corruption in Nigeria has continued to hamper economic growth and erode trust in public institutions despite 25 years of attempted reforms by various administrations.
According to the organisation, corrupt practices are deeply entrenched across various levels of Nigeria’s government and society and permeate politics, public administration, law enforcement and the judiciary, often undermining the delivery of basic services.
This is coming less than a week after President Bola Tinubu claimed during an official engagement in Brazil that his administration had rid the nation of corruption, hinging the ‘success’ on his government’s economic reforms.
“The reforms I’ve embarked upon since I took over in Nigeria have been very impactful. I can beat my chest for that. It was initially painful, but today the result is blossoming. It’s getting clearer to the people. We have more money for the economy… no more corruption.” Tinubu said at the event.
But the UK-based independent organisation chose to ignore facts to tar the Tinubu administration with the same brush as those before him.
From 2023 to date, the Corruption Perceptions Index run by Transparency International, TI, shows that Tinubu was right, as Nigeria is no longer ranked 145th in the world.
Now, we are ranked 140th. So, our score is 26 out of 100, and no longer 25 out of 100, making his assertion correct.
Under this administration, the conviction carried out by the Economic Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, is unprecedented. In the 2024 calendar year, the EFCC actually had the highest ever annual convictions, which was 4111. Therefore, any talk about Tinubu administration being the same as his predecessors is balderdash, already punctured with facts.
Like the spurious claims that this administration is pushing a lopsided agenda, assertions of corruption against the administration is fallacious and should be jettisoned.

Oyatomi, Former Editor (Sunday Vanguard), Author (FINGERPRINTS 2008) and a Lawyer, is a member of the board of Independent Media and Policy Initiative (IMPI), a Think Tank based in Abuja.