Muhammadu Buhari did not fail the North as many have been trying so desperately to make other people believe; he worked for the North and the South as a nationalist leader. Following the emergence of a proposed document on regional government, I read posts on this platform from different people accusing him of not preparing the North during his eight years in office for such development.
By Bashir Ahmad
Those critics have attempted to manipulate public opinion against a leader who governed with a national perspective. During his tenure, Buhari ensured that the North and South were prepared for future advancements.
I will use the North as an example and discuss some of the projects and initiatives overseen by him aimed at preparing the region for any advancement.
The initiation of the 614 km-long Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano (AKK) gas pipeline, a part of Nigeria’s Gas Master Plan, will enhance the energy infrastructure in the region. His administration provided substantial support for the rehabilitation of the Kaduna Refinery, and he ensured the Kolmani oil field project in Bauchi and Gombe reached a point of no return but to continue.
He also initiated the Kano-Katsina-Jigawa-Maradi rail line, covering 284 km within Nigeria and extending into Maradi, Niger Republic. The Kano-Kaduna standard gauge rail project, now at an advanced stage, will link Kano to Abuja and subsequently to Lagos.
Buhari’s administration saw the completion of critical power projects, including the Zungeru, Kashimbila, and Dadin Kowa power plants. He also initiated the process and saw through the Maiduguri gas power plant.
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Agriculture, the backbone of the northern economy, saw unprecedented support and interventions during his tenure. His administration earmarked billions of naira for agricultural interventions. However, the mismanagement of these resources by beneficiaries is an entirely different topic for another discussion.
Despite receiving widespread criticism, his controversial decision to close borders aimed to boost local farming. People of critical thinking know that the move was intended to drive agricultural self-sufficiency not only in the north but in Nigeria and neighbouring countries.
He completed or advanced numerous road projects abandoned for decades. Notable examples include the Kano-Maiduguri road which initiated in 2000. Kano-Katsina road, the 220km Keffi-Akwanga-Lafia-Makurdi road, the Loko-Oweto bridges connecting the northern and southeastern regions, and he also initiated the most talk about the rehabilitation and reconstruction of 375.9 km of the dual carriageway from Abuja through Kaduna, on to Zaria and further to Kano, the project from Kaduna to Kano has been completed, and Abuja to Kaduna is now at the completion stage.
He established the first dry inland port in the country, located in Kaduna, completed the second one in Kano, and left the third one in Funtua at a completed stage, which President Tinubu recently commissioned.
I won’t discuss the various individuals he appointed to strategically important positions (Ministries of Finance, Budget and National Planning; Defence; Aviation; Power; Police; Education; Water Resources; Agriculture; Justice; Communications, etc) in the region, as that may lead to more unnecessary debates.
These facts clearly demonstrate Muhammadu Buhari’s efforts to prepare the northern regions for any discussion on regional government and beyond. As I noted in response to a tweet from my brother Yasir @oil_shaeikh, “Nigerians, especially my northern brothers and sisters, are truly fascinating people. Why do we often seem directionless? On the one hand, we all advocate for nationalist leaders who treat all regions equally. On the other hand, we desire leaders who prioritise regional agendas and act in a manner that favours specific sections.”
Ahmad was Special Assistant on Digital Communications to Muhammadu Buhari
