The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), a leading socio-political group in Northern Nigeria, has warned that the region may not support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election if what it describes as continued marginalisation is not addressed.
The group accused the Tinubu administration of sidelining Northern Nigeria in federal budget allocations and infrastructure development, especially in road construction. According to the ACF, the imbalance in spending is deepening existing inequalities and worsening the region’s economic and social challenges.
The allegations were made by the Chairman of the ACF Board of Trustees, Bashir Dalhatu, during a two-day interactive session on government–citizen engagement organised by the Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Foundation in Kaduna State.
Dalhatu said the North, despite its strong support for Tinubu during the 2023 general elections, has not received fair treatment under the current administration. He argued that key policy decisions and project execution have largely favoured other parts of the country.
According to him, budget figures from the 2025 federal budget clearly show that Northern Nigeria, especially the Northeast, has been short-changed in road infrastructure spending.
He said out of the ₦1.013 trillion allocated for road projects nationwide in the 2025 budget, only ₦24 billion, which is less than one per cent, was set aside for road projects in the Northeast.
Dalhatu described the figure as unacceptable, especially considering the poor state of roads in the region and the role of infrastructure in boosting economic growth and security.
“In addition to its natural disadvantages, Northern Nigeria also suffers from age-old neglect by the federal government in the development of transportation infrastructure,” he said.
The ACF leader said the problem of poor infrastructure in the North did not start under the Tinubu administration, but he argued that the current government has failed to reverse the trend.
He noted that while major road and bridge projects have been completed or are nearing completion in other parts of the country, the North has little to show for federal road investments in the last two decades.
Dalhatu cited projects such as the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway and the Second Niger Bridge as examples of major infrastructure investments outside the North. He said no road of similar strategic importance to the North has been completed or properly maintained during the same period.
This, he said, has continued to limit economic activities, increase transportation costs, and worsen insecurity in many parts of Northern Nigeria.
To further support his claims, Dalhatu referred to a press statement issued by the Federal Ministry of Works in May 2025, which provided a regional breakdown of road project allocations.
According to the figures he quoted, the Southwest received ₦1.394 trillion, the Southeast ₦205 billion, the Northwest ₦105 billion, and the Northeast ₦30 billion.
He argued that these figures show a clear imbalance that works against the interests of Northern Nigeria, especially when compared to the region’s population size, landmass, and development needs.
“Sadly, these days, this discriminatory practice is not done secretly,” Dalhatu said. “It is openly displayed, without apology.”
The comments from the ACF come at a time when political discussions about the 2027 general elections are already gaining momentum across the country.
Northern Nigeria has historically played a major role in determining election outcomes due to its large voting population. In the 2023 elections, Tinubu received significant support from many northern states, which helped him secure victory.
The ACF’s warning suggests growing dissatisfaction within the region and raises questions about how voting patterns may change if grievances remain unresolved.
Northern Nigeria continues to face multiple challenges, including insecurity, poverty, low school enrolment, and weak infrastructure. Many communities struggle with poor road networks, making it difficult to move goods, access markets, or receive basic services.
Insecurity, especially in the Northeast and Northwest, has also made construction and maintenance of infrastructure more difficult. However, critics argue that this makes federal investment even more important, not less.
The ACF believes that without serious government intervention, the development gap between the North and other regions will continue to widen.
As of the time of this report, the federal government has not officially responded to the claims made by the ACF. However, in previous statements, the Tinubu administration has said it is committed to balanced development and national unity.
Government officials have also argued that budget allocations are based on project readiness, ongoing commitments, and available funds, rather than regional bias.
The Ministry of Works and other relevant agencies are yet to clarify the specific figures cited by the ACF or explain the reasons behind the regional distribution of road projects in the 2025 budget.
The ACF called on the federal government to urgently review its policies and budget priorities to ensure fairness across all regions. Dalhatu said development should not be seen through a regional or political lens but as a national responsibility.
He warned that continued neglect could deepen feelings of exclusion and weaken trust in the federal system.
The forum urged leaders to remember that national stability depends on fairness, justice, and inclusive development.
As Nigeria prepares for another election cycle, issues of equity, resource sharing, and infrastructure development are likely to dominate public debate.