By Aliyu Maigari Aliyu
In the ongoing discourse surrounding the socio-economic challenges plaguing Northern Nigeria, the time has come for the long-standing elite in the region to take a step back and engage in meaningful self-reflection.
Over the last 64 years of Nigeria’s independence, Northern elites have ruled the country for approximately 41 years. Despite this significant tenure, the region remains mired in underdevelopment, and the accusations being levied against President Bola Tinubu, who has spent less than two years in power, are not just disingenuous but also a stark exhibition of irresponsibility, to say the least.
The primary question that arises is: how can the very elites who wielded power for decades suddenly cast blame on a new administration for failing to achieve development within this short time in office? The psychological and intellectual gymnastics required to justify such behaviour points to a deeper malaise within the political class of Northern Nigeria.
The criticism directed at contemporary leaders, including the President, overlooks the systemic failures and the historical burden of neglect passed down through the years.
The Northern elites have had ample opportunity to effect change, yet, time and again, they have chosen to prioritize personal and political gains over the sustainable development of their constituents. Their silence during decades of mismanagement, corruption, and inept governance translates to complicity in the ongoing failures of the region. The criticisms aimed at the current leadership, rather than being constructive or aimed at accountability, serve to divert attention from their own shortcomings.
Corporate accountability must start with introspection and an acknowledgment of one’s role in perpetuating the status quo. The truth is that while no political institution is flawless, Northern elites had a fiduciary duty to uplift their communities — a duty spurned by self-interest and a lack of vision.
Instead of demanding accountability from new leaders, it is vital for these elites to gaze into the mirror, as Kaduna State Governor, Senator Uba Sani, so aptly suggested and acknowledge their own failures in fostering the economic and social growth of Northern Nigeria.
Apparently, Governor Uba Sani comes across as the only man with conscience within that group of political elites from the North.
At a time when frontline political and regional leaders from the North simply find it convenient to blame others, particularly, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the regions failings, Governor Sani has the courage and forthrightness to urge Northern leaders and stakeholders to take responsibility and stop blaming other regions for the predicament bedevilling the region.
He challenged northern leaders who had political positions in the past to give account of their stewardship and contributions to the development of the region.
Governor Sani stated this while speaking as a panelist at a stakeholders’ Roundtable on Northern Nigeria Youth Development, organised by the Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Foundation. He rightly accused all past political officers of failing woefully to chart a development course for the region.
The North as everybody knew it was largely peaceful, and according to the Governor, ‘’there were only occasional ethno-religious conflicts. People could travel freely around the North without fear of being attacked by criminal elements. Then came terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, and insurgency.
“We folded our arms and failed to address the underlying causes of these threats to our collective existence,’’ he charged.
Governor Uba Sani was spot on when he pointed out that northerners have been holding key positions in successive administrations but “failed woefully to fashion and implement programs to address the infrastructure gap, tackle poverty, and unify our people’.
He added, as a matter of fact, that the people’s patience is running thin because, “they are beginning to question our actions. They are saying NO to our self-centred politics. They are demanding answers. And answers we must give them.
“Our people want to know why the North is backward despite the humongous amount sunk into its development.
“They want to know why the Northern elite who have for years been in control of the levers of power failed to develop the North.
“They want to know why there are thriving Southern-owned industries and banks, while very few are owned by people from the North,” the governor submitted. Nothing could be more apt.
Now, consider the pressing indicators of underdevelopment in Northern Nigeria: high poverty rates, lack of access to quality education and healthcare, stagnant economic growth, and soaring unemployment, the rampaging vicious spectre of terrorism, banditry, insurgency and religious extremism, all did not just sprout up today.
These issues are not contemporary problems that arose with the emergence of the current administration; they are entrenched challenges that have festered and expanded over decades, shaped by the policies (or lack thereof) of the Northern elite. Their legacy includes not just the absence of infrastructural development but a disconnected governing class that seems more devoted to political survival than the welfare of its citizens.
Even from a strategic perspective, perpetuating a narrative of blame adds little value to the discourse on progress. Instead of introspective self-assessment and collaboration towards solutions, their reactionary stance weakens the regional coalition needed to address these dire challenges. A mature leadership will recognize that progress is a collective responsibility and that finger-pointing only serves to entrench division and animosity.
Therefore, it is essential for Northern elites to shift their focus. The immediate need is to engage actively in advocating for policies that prioritize education, economic revitalization, and social welfare, security, peaceful co-existence and a tolerant religious disposition. Instead of criticizing an administration that has not yet had the time to fully implement their vision, they should open doors to mentorship, fund initiatives, and invest in the local economy.
It is time for Northern elites to take ownership of their legacy and the circumstances they have helped to create over the years. The choices they made yesterday surely have consequences that are now everywhere for all to see. The underdevelopment of Northern Nigeria cannot be blamed wholly on the man who has occupied the seat of power for only a fraction of the time when they themselves had decades to redress the imbalances. A genuine commitment to the advancement of the region necessitates not just a reflection on the past but a dedication to forging a united path forward. It is only through shared responsibility and collaborative effort that the citizens of Northern Nigeria will finally see the fruits of development they have deserved for so long.
Ultimately, accountability begins at home, and the time for Northern elites to acknowledge their failings is now—because the aspirations of millions of Northern Nigerians depend on their willingness to change.
*Aliyu writes from Kaduna State, Northern Nigeria
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