Former Niger State Governor Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu has dismissed claims that northern Nigeria is being sidelined by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, calling its performance impressive. Speaking after a citizen engagement event organized by the Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Foundation, Aliyu argued that the region is not neglected, pointing out that northerners hold vital security and economic positions, including the National Security Adviser, two Ministers of Defence, and two Ministers of Agriculture. He strongly defended the traditional political rotation system between the North and South, insisting that the South must be allowed to complete its full two terms in office, just as the North did under the previous administration. Aliyu challenged critics who want a northern leader in the next election cycle to present a genuinely better alternative, labeling proposals for single-term presidencies as impractical. While maintaining that the government has done good work during its first two years, he noted that its biggest issue is poor public communication. He urged federal ministers and agency heads to actively promote their achievements rather than leaving all the publicity to the Ministry of Information. Additionally, Aliyu criticized elected politicians who fail to visit or update their home communities about federal progress, stressing that keeping citizens informed is crucial to overcoming negative perceptions. Ultimately, he advised the administration to focus on straightforward public advocacy so that ordinary Nigerians can clearly understand the positive developments happening across the country.
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