Kano State Governor Rabi’u Kwankwaso yesterday blasted President Goodluck Jonathan when he said that the President Jonathan lack the capacity to rule the country. The Governor made the statement when he had a meeting with the Northern Elders Forum, NEF, leaders at the Government House in Kano, on Tuesday night, even as he added that inspite of advice and observations from leaders from within and outside the country on how to put Nigeria on the right track, the presidency was insensitive.
Kwankwaso said; “When we met with the president, as Northern Governors, he told us that the former US Secretary of State, Hilary Clinton, told him that as President he has to look at the issue of the North very critically. She noted that there was an imbalance in terms of patronage, appointments and sharing of resources.
“He assured that he was looking at those comments and that was why he was delaying appointments into boards and so on. Since that meeting, we have not seen anything or changes. So it is my conclusion that the President lacks the capacity and courage to do the right thing.”
Speaking the former Defence Minister accused President Jonathan of favouring one side of the country in the Federal budget while one section of the country is suffering from illiteracy, underdevelopment and misery while the other section has more than enough is not good for national unity.
He said; “We have had enough crises in this country and it is not right to plant seeds for crisis in the future. Look at the North East that was allocated N2 billion in the current budget. N2 billion is what Mr. President allocated to non -APC states for supporting him, while N111 billion was allocated to the South East and South-South. This is not close to fairness.”
“We have had enough crises in this country and it is not right to plant seeds for crisis in the future. Look at the North East that was allocated N2 billion in the current budget. N2 billion is what Mr. President allocated to non -APC states for supporting him, while N111 billion was allocated to the South East and South-South. This is not close to fairness”, the governor argued. It is unclear how the governor arrived at those figures.
Kwankwaso however stressed that his position on current national issues is not premised on religion, ethnicity or sectionalism but stems from the desire to see that every Nigerian, irrespective of where he comes from is treated without discrimination.
Kwankwaso asserted that it is time for members of the National Assembly to come out and oppose injustice that is perpetrated by the government.
The governor noted that what is happening in the country in terms of poverty, insecurity and joblessness in the North today should not be happening in civilized societies, appealing to the Federal Government to listen to the voices of reason so as to move the country in the right direction.
Turning to the Northern Elders, Forum, Governor Kwankwaso said he and its members are like minds that are not sleeping comfortably because things are not moving well in the country. He pledged to continue to work with all people of good conscience to bring about good governance in Nigeria.
Earlier, in their separate remarks, the chairman of the forum, Alhaji Yusuf Maitama Sule, Danmasanin Kano, and his deputy, Wanteregh Paul Unongo explained that they are not satisfied with current political developments in the country, especially as they affect the North.
They said the visit to Kwankwaso was to identify with his achievements and sterling leadership qualities as well as to look at several issues that will bring about responsible governance, unity and even development of the country.
