Vice President Kashim Shettima has denied claims that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has neglected the Northern region.
In an interview with Radio France RFI Hausa Service, Shettima said: “In my understanding, we are in a democracy and democracy has given a citizen the right to voice his grievances but in a peaceful manner.”
Commenting on recent protests, he said: “What we are running away from is politicians with bad intentions and hoodlums to cause a commotion that would lead to anarchy. That’s what we’ve been running from and unfortunately, it happened.”
Shettima emphasized that the government has good intentions to help the North, citing initiatives such as a foundation to assist farmers and the establishment of the Ministry of Livestock.
He said: “We have no business with poverty in the North. Allah has blessed us with everything.”
Reacting to allegations of bias towards the South, Shettima said: “If the truth shall be told, out of 46 Ministers, 24 are from the North.”
He listed several ministers from the North, saying: “So, some of these allegations are baseless.”
Shettima also announced plans to convene a meeting with Northern governors, wealthy individuals, and politicians to address economic and security challenges in the region.
He said: “We shall sit down and it’s not going to be a tea party… we shall get a genuine commitment from these Northerners and in shaa Allah, there is going to be unity and a good way forward for the North.”
