National Chairman of All Progressives Congress (APC), Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, has cautioned against the actions of those he called self-serving politicians whose ambitions could derail the progress of deliberate and strategic investments of the President Bola Tinubu administration in northern Nigeria.
Yilwatda called on stakeholders in the region, including traditional rulers, political leaders, youth groups, business communities, and civil society, to rally behind the Tinubu administration to ensure the successful implementation of the transformative initiatives.
In a statement issued Monday by his Special Adviser on Media and Information Strategy, Abimbola Tooki, Yilwatda stated that the scale, depth, and intentionality of ongoing federal government interventions underscored a clear commitment to repositioning the north as a hub of productivity, trade, education, and infrastructure-driven growth.
He said the region, given its geographical advantage and economic potential, was strategically positioned to serve as a gateway to neighbouring countries, such as Niger Republic, Chad, Cameroon, and Benin Republic.
The APC national chairman stressed that the ongoing infrastructure revolution, spanning roads, rail, agriculture, energy, and education, would not only stimulate local economies but also deepen cross-border trade, enhance regional integration, and position northern Nigeria as a commercial nerve centre for the sub-region.
According to him, Tinubu’s vision for northern Nigeria goes beyond politics, and is a well-thought-out economic and development strategy aimed at unlocking the vast potential of the region.
Yilwatda underscored the expansion and rehabilitation of major road corridors linking northern states to key commercial hubs, facilitating seamless movement of goods and people.
He stated, “The ongoing rail modernisation projects, including extensions that connect Northern cities to ports and southern markets, thereby reducing logistics costs and boosting trade competitiveness.
“Strategic investments in energy infrastructure aimed at improving power supply to industrial clusters and rural communities across the region.”
Yilwatda added, “The development of agricultural value chains through irrigation projects, mechanisation support, and agro-processing zones to ensure food security and export readiness.
“Within the lifetime of this administration, the North will emerge as a strong economic powerhouse, driven by infrastructure, human capital development, and strategic investments.
“This is a defining moment for the North and for Nigeria. We must not allow narrow personal interests to truncate a historic opportunity for regional transformation. The future we seek requires collective commitment and unity of purpose.”
Yilwatda pointed out that the projects were not isolated initiatives but part of a coordinated national strategy to integrate the north into the global value chains while strengthening its role within the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
He said enhanced security measures, combined with targeted support for farmers, were gradually restoring confidence in rural communities and boosting agricultural productivity.
Yilwatda said the administration was prioritising food security through large-scale farming initiatives; support for livestock development and modern ranching systems; access to financing for farmers and agribusinesses; and revitalisation of dams and irrigation infrastructure.
He said the efforts will not only feed the nation but also position the north as a leading exporter of agricultural products to neighbouring countries.
Yilwatda described Tinubu as a resilient democrat who had consistently stood on the side of history, dating back to the struggle against military rule during the Sani Abacha era.
He said, “President Tinubu is a dogged fighter for democracy, a man whose political journey has been defined by courage, vision, and consistency.
“His commitment to national development is unquestionable, and his plans for the North are evidence of his inclusive leadership.”
Yilwatda expressed concern over what he described as the lack of cohesion and credibility within opposition ranks, stating that their inability to effectively manage their internal affairs raises serious doubts about their capacity to govern.
He alleged, “Their actions have exposed them as unreliable. They cannot organise or administer their own political parties, yet they aspire to lead a complex nation like Nigeria.
“ As soon as they jump into a political party, they destroy it when they realisetheir inordinate ambition could not be met and move to the next party. Entrusting them with power would risk taking the country several years backward.”
Adedayo Akinwale
