By Friday Obande
An association under the aegis of Youth Alliance for Tinubu and Shettima, YATS, has dubunked what it describes as recent and unfounded claims by Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, alleging that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration has marginalised Northern Nigeria.
In a press statement, signed by Director General, DG, of the group, Hon. Oche Silas, YATS noted that such narratives do not reflect the reality of governance and inclusive national development practiced since May 29, 2023.
He said the president’s appointments have been merit‑based for Northerners, as Silas recalled that in May 2025, President Tinubu approved 22 appointments into federal agencies and commissions, deliberately; which include numerous qualified individuals from Northern states, such as: Ibrahim Shehu Shema (Katsina) as Chairman of the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA); Yazid Shehu Umar Danfulani (Zamfara) and Abubakar Umar Jarengol (Adamawa) to leadership roles at the Nigerian Agricultural Insurance Corporation (NAIC);
Asabe Vilita Bashir, (Borno) who was appointed Director‑General of the National Centre for Women Development.
According to the group, even the likes of Senator Ali Ndume (Borno South), a former critic of the administration, publicly commended the President, describing him as “responsive” and fair-minded.
On Infrastructure and investments, the YATS DG, explained that President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda has delivered targeted infrastructure across the north, such as: the Abuja–Kaduna–Zaria–Kano Expressway: Part of a national highway north, such as: work enhancing connectivity from Abuja into the North; includes airport linkage in Kano, Major rural and agricultural road projects flagged off across Northern states:
Also, the statement mentioned other projects which include: Yakasai-Zalli–Damargu–Danja, Kano Northern Bypass, Maiduguri Bypass, Shendam Bridge (Plateau), and Jimeta Bridge (Adamawa). Again, the Kano–Kaduna rail line: A 203 km standard‑gauge railway funded by a $255 million loan from China’s Development Bank, aimed at boosting safe and efficient transport in the North, as the president also reaffirmed his commitment to national integration, stating that projects—whether roads or rails, are meant to connect “not just communities but destinies.
Others were: the Greater Abuja Water Supply Network (Loops 1, 2, 5, and 6) was recently inaugurated. Designed to serve districts across FCT—including its northern corridor—it underscores equitable public service access under Tinubu’s administration,”were also other projects mentioned by Silas.
He continued by saying while groups like the Nigerian Economic Forum, NEF, claim disproportionate allocation of national resources; citing higher funding for southern projects like the Lagos–Calabar Highway and Second Niger Bridge, which he cautioned, such criticisms, adding that they lack full context, as numerous investments have been directed to Northern infrastructure and leadership roles clearly reflect a commitment to geographical balance.”
“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has not marginalised the North. Through strategic appointments and tangible infrastructure efforts across the region—from rail connectivity and major highways to water supply systems—the administration is actively fostering unity, equity, and development in line with Nigeria’s constitutional Federal Character principle.
“I call on Nigerians, including Kwankwaso to “reject divisive rhetoric, and embrace factual dialogue, and support a government that spans the entire nation in vision and implementation,” added Silas.
