Ardo: North Has Been Short-changed Under Tinubu, May Get Less Than 10% of Votes
ABUJA — Convener of the League of Northern Democrats and key promoter of the All-Democratic Alliance (ADA), Dr Umar Ardo, has accused President Bola Tinubu’s administration of short-changing Northern Nigeria in the distribution of federal resources and political appointments.
Ardo said the development could have serious political consequences for Tinubu ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
Speaking during an interview on Frontline, a current affairs programme on Eagle 102.5 FM, Ilese-Ijebu, Ogun State, Ardo said Tinubu could receive less than 10 per cent of the northern vote if the 2027 election is free and fair.
He argued that the imbalance was particularly noticeable in the actual release of funds to federal ministries, despite the amounts provided for them in the national budget.
According to him, the South had received significantly more releases than the North.
“The budget to the ministries and the actual releases of funds, the North could have not been equated with the South at all. By far the south has received more releases about five times than the northern ministries,” Ardo said.
He maintained that the issue went beyond budgetary allocations, arguing that attention should also be paid to the resources eventually released to ministries and government institutions.
Ardo further alleged that several federal parastatals had been allocated to people from the South, which he said had strengthened the perception among some Northerners that the region was being marginalised.
Ardo criticises Tinubu’s appointments
The Northern political activist also criticised the distribution of key political appointments under the Tinubu administration.
He said the pattern of appointments had created a feeling of exclusion among some groups in Northern Nigeria.
“The perception, which is also true, is that he has yorubanised his administration. He has given all the critical appointments to his own kins and Yorubas,” Ardo said.
He added that the perception had caused damage to the administration’s standing in Northern Nigeria.
Ardo also questioned the classification of states such as Kwara and Kogi in discussions about Northern Nigeria, noting their strong Yoruba cultural and linguistic connections.
2027 political implications
Ardo’s comments come ahead of the 2027 general election, as political parties and political groups intensify preparations for the presidential contest.
He argued that the distribution of government opportunities and resources would influence how voters in the North assess the Tinubu administration.
The League of Northern Democrats convener maintained that the region’s political response in 2027 would depend largely on how Northerners perceive the administration’s record in office.
He therefore predicted that Tinubu could struggle to secure significant support from the North if the election is conducted freely and fairly.
The comments add to the growing political debate over regional representation, resource distribution and the performance of the Tinubu administration ahead of the 2027 elections.
