By Achadu Gabriel, Kaduna
The heat was on the other oven when a Northerner and title holder in Jema’a Emirate Council of Kaduna state, Sanusi A.S. Maikudi, berated former Speaker, House of Representatives, Hon. Yakubu Dogara over the latter’s recent explosive speech in which he accused Northerners of dominating the country’s leadership even as their region of birth has little or nothing to show for such.
Dogara had late last year delivered a thought-provoking speech entitled ‘North Ruled for 40 Years Without Results to Show’ during a town hall meeting held by the Christian Awareness Initiative of Nigeria (CHAIN) in Kaduna.
The theme of the meeting was ‘The Church and Society: Tax Reforms and Matters Arising’.
Delivering a scathing criticism of Northern leaders, Dogara had accused them of neglecting the region’s development despite decades of political dominance in the country.
Accusing many of the leaders of mismanaging the North’s allocated resources for public welfare projects, the ex-Speaker alleged that most prioritized personal gain above the collective interest.
Among others, Dogara, himself from the North, said: “The North has controlled the Presidency for over 40 years,with key positions in the Senate, House of Representatives, and NNPC, yet the region remains underdeveloped.”
However, reacting to the position, Maikudi jumped to the defence of Northern leaders, accusing Dogara,in the process, of sycophancy towards the President Bola Tinubu-led Federal Government.
In a rejoinder, Maikudi, who is acclaimed as the Dan Iyan Jema’a Network for Justice Kaduna-Nigeria, explained that Dogara failed to recognize the North’s pivotal role in shaping Nigeria’s destiny.
Maikudi, in a seeming aggressive tone, stated that Dogara’s speech was politically motivated, describing it as an attempt to curry favor with Tinubu to assuage guilt for his (Dogara’s) opposition.
Dogara was a member of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), but defected to the opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in the run-up to the 2023 General Elections.
Maikudi added that Dogara’s call on Northerners to support Tinubu’s re-election in 2027 was unnecessary, noting that North had already given their support in the 2023 elections to Tinubu despite what he described as Dogara’s open opposition to APC’s Muslim-Muslim ticket.
Dogara is a Fulani Christian from Bauchi state, North-East Nigeria.
Maikudi’s statement reads: “Rejoinder to Rt. Hon. Yakubu Speech: ‘North Ruled for 40 Years Without Results to Show’.
“Dear Rt. Hon. Yakubu Dogara, I write with respect to your recent remarks during the town hall meeting for Christian leaders in Northern Nigeria, where you claimed that the North ruled Nigeria for over 40 years “without results to show”.
“While your critique of leadership within the region raises important concerns, it is imperative to clarify certain misconceptions and provide a balanced perspective on the North’s legacy.
“You are a product of Northern leadership’s legacy; if anyone claims that the North ruled for 40 years without results, it certainly must not be you, Rt. Hon. Dogara.
“Your political and professional journey is itself an iconic result of Northern leadership’s vision and investment in Nigeria’s development.
“From your education at the University of Jos—a legacy of Northern leadership—to your rise to the position of Speaker of the House of Representatives via the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) (conceived in the North), your success is a testament to the opportunities created by the North’s leadership.”
On Northern leaders’ role in Nigeria’s development, Maikudi explained: “For the record, Northern leaders have been instrumental in shaping Nigeria’s policies, institutions, and infrastructure, which have propelled the nation to become Africa’s largest economy and the 20th largest in the world.
“The North played pivotal roles in establishing: The Federal Capital Territory (FCT), a symbol of national unity; The National Assembly Complex, where you once exercised significant power;
“Policies that drove Nigeria’s economic growth, including the establishment of key institutions like the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), and regulatory frameworks that spurred development.
“These achievements underscore the North’s significant contributions to Nigeria’s progress, even amid challenges.”
On the North’s challenges, Maikudi pictured same in a global perspective, saying: “While the North faces undeniable challenges, these must be viewed within a global context.
“The world today is marked by volatility, uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguity (VUCA). Northern Nigeria is not alone in grappling with these issues; even Europe endured the Dark Ages for over 500 years before experiencing its well-documented Renaissance.
“Northern Nigeria, with its rich history and resilience, will recover and shine as a giant in the Sahel and Sub-Saharan Africa.”
Turning his gaze to 2027, Maikudi stated that Dogara’s call for Northerners to support President Tinubu appears unnecessary, stressing that “the North has already demonstrated overwhelming support for him in the 2023 elections, despite your open opposition based on the Muslim-Muslim ticket.
“Your speech now seems politically motivated, perhaps as an attempt to curry favor with the President and assuage guilt for your opposition. Northerners do not need your sermons to support a leader they have already embraced.”
Counseling the former Speaker to embrace constructive criticism, he stated that “rather than dismissing the North’s legacy, you should focus on constructive criticism that acknowledges its achievements while addressing areas for improvement. The narrative of failure is not only inaccurate but also detrimental to the unity and progress we seek as a nation.”
Maikudi continued: “Rt. Hon. Dogara, your remarks fail to recognize the North’s pivotal role in shaping Nigeria’s destiny. While challenges persist, the North’s contributions to national development cannot be overlooked.
“As a product of these achievements, you should inspire hope and unity, not propagate narratives that undermine the region’s legacy. Northern Nigeria will overcome its challenges and continue to be a cornerstone of Nigeria’s greatness.”
