APC Chieftain Accuses Kwankwaso of Inciting North Against Southern Presidency

Yekini Nabena, a former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has criticized recent comments made by former Kano State Governor and New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) leader, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, on federal project allocation and regional development.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, Nabena described Kwankwaso’s remarks as misleading and divisive. He emphasized that no ethnic, religious, or regional sentiment should be allowed to delegitimize the Southern presidency, asserting that the South must complete its constitutionally supported eight years in power.

Kwankwaso had previously accused the federal government of favoring the South in developmental projects, pointing to inadequate road infrastructure in the North. However, the Presidency has since countered this claim, publishing a list of federal projects that show more budgetary allocation for the North under President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

Responding further, Nabena alleged that Kwankwaso’s true motive was to stir northern sentiment against the Southern presidency ahead of the 2027 elections. He claimed that such tactics—aimed at political bargaining—had failed in the past and would no longer resonate with voters.

“Kano voters now know who has been using them for political business. Even political stakeholders understand the tricks of these political merchants,” he said.

Nabena, who hails from Bayelsa State, also challenged Kwankwaso to assess the poor road conditions across South-South states and compare them with those in the North, suggesting that the narrative of southern advantage was unfounded.