Former Senator Shehu Sani, who represented Kaduna Central in the 8th Senate, has criticized Northern leaders for failing to improve the region's socio-economic status and called for support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to complete a full eight-year term.

Speaking to journalists at his residence on Monday, Sani highlighted the significant progress the North has experienced during just two years of Tinubu's administration.

"For those of us from this part (North) of the country, we appreciate the progress made so far by this present government and for those of them who had the opportunity to do better and they failed, we tell them that it is better they apologise for the wrong they have done to the people of the North," Sani stated.

The former lawmaker urged Northern citizens not to allow themselves to be incited against a government that he claims is performing better than previous administrations led by Northern politicians. He emphasized that Tinubu had supported Northern leadership for eight years and deserves reciprocal support.

Reciprocating Southwest Support

Sani pointed out that Northwest Nigeria has produced two presidents since 1999 – Umaru Musa Yar'Adua and Muhammadu Buhari – both of whom enjoyed unwavering support from the Southwest region.

"In all these elections, the Southwest part of Nigeria had supported the North and never gave any serious challenge as long as the smooth running of President Buhari was concerned," he noted.

The former senator argued that it is only logical and fair for the North to allow the South to complete eight years in power, stating, "If there should be another presidential candidate from the opposition, that candidate should be from the Southwest because that is equity, justice and that is fairness."

Critique of Previous Security Leadership

Sani also criticized the previous administration's security apparatus, which was predominantly led by Northerners, for failing to address the region's security challenges.

"Under the last administration, all heads of the security apparatus were from Northern extraction, they never stopped terrorism in the North, they never stopped banditry in the Northwest, they never stopped killings in Benue state, in Plateau, and most of the North central states," he asserted.

His comments come amid growing political discussions about the 2027 presidential elections and regional power dynamics in Nigerian politics. Sani's stance represents a call for political equity and recognition of the progress he believes the Tinubu administration has brought to Northern Nigeria despite being led by a Southerner.