Tinubu Says North Benefits Most from Reforms as ACF, MBF Disagree

President Bola Tinubu has maintained that Northern Nigeria stands to benefit the most from his administration’s economic reforms, particularly the removal of fuel subsidy, describing the policy as a necessary step to stabilize the nation’s economy and drive long-term growth.

The President’s position, however, sparked mixed reactions from key northern socio-political groups, with some rejecting the claim while others acknowledged improvements under the current administration.

Speaking through the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, at a policy roundtable in Abuja, Tinubu said his government inherited a struggling economy characterized by subsidy-related distortions, foreign exchange challenges, mounting debt obligations, and inadequate infrastructure investment.

According to him, reforms introduced since 2023 have improved the country’s economic outlook, boosted non-oil revenue, strengthened external reserves, and increased trade performance. He added that ongoing infrastructure projects and regional trade initiatives would position Northern Nigeria as a major commercial hub in the coming years.

Tinubu highlighted projects such as the Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano gas pipeline, student loan programmes, vocational training initiatives, and consumer credit schemes as part of efforts aimed at translating economic stability into improved living conditions for citizens.

He stressed that the North would benefit significantly from expanded trade opportunities with neighbouring countries, including Niger, Chad, Cameroon, Burkina Faso, and the Central African Republic.

The APC also defended the fuel subsidy removal policy, arguing that it has saved trillions of naira that can now be invested in critical sectors such as education, healthcare, infrastructure, and security.

Former Bauchi State Governor Isa Yuguda said the subsidy regime was plagued by fraud, inefficiency, and financial leakages, noting that its removal was a difficult but necessary decision to safeguard the economy.

Meanwhile, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) reiterated its commitment to restoring fuel subsidy if elected into power, insisting that the policy remains central to its plans to ease the cost-of-living crisis facing Nigerians.

ADC National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, said the issue of subsidy restoration could become a major point of alignment among opposition parties seeking political cooperation ahead of the 2027 general election.

However, northern socio-political groups strongly challenged the President’s claim that the region has been the biggest beneficiary of the reforms.

The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) described the statement as unrealistic, arguing that poverty, insecurity, poor infrastructure, and educational challenges continue to affect millions of people across the North.

The group maintained that the region remains burdened by economic hardship and questioned the basis for describing it as the greatest beneficiary of government policies.

Similarly, the Middle Belt Forum (MBF) faulted the claim, insisting that reforms such as fuel subsidy removal affect all Nigerians and cannot be credited as benefiting one region more than another.

The forum also argued that many citizens are yet to experience tangible gains from the policy changes introduced by the administration.

In contrast, the Northern Christian Association (NCA) expressed support for the President’s position, stating that several infrastructure projects across the North indicate visible government investment in the region.

The association pointed to ongoing road projects, educational institutions, and healthcare facilities as evidence of progress, while acknowledging that challenges such as insecurity, hunger, and poverty still require urgent attention.

Its leadership also argued that the current administration has recorded more visible development projects in parts of Northern Nigeria than previous governments, urging residents to recognize areas where progress has been made while continuing to demand better governance.