Title: Gross Injustice in Tinubu’s Road Projects: A Betrayal of National Equity
By Uzoma Chilaka
(Culled from Rita Umeh)
By ALPHAMEDIA24
President Bola Tinubu has just approved a staggering ₦787.14 billion plus $651.7 million for road projects across Nigeria. But a closer look at the regional breakdown reveals a deeply troubling imbalance:
- South West: ₦1.394 trillion
- South East: ₦205 billion
- North West: ₦105 billion
- North East: ₦30 billion
These figures are not just numbers — they are a blatant slap in the face of national fairness and equity.
Let’s consider a few undeniable realities:
Land Mass Disparity
The North East and North West combined make up over 60% of Nigeria’s total land area. These vast regions require more roads, more investment, and more infrastructure to connect remote communities and drive economic growth. In contrast, the South West occupies less than 15% of the country’s landmass. So why does the smallest region get the lion’s share of funding?
Population and Voter Contributions
The North West is Nigeria’s most populous zone, home to major population centers like Kano and Kaduna. The North East, despite facing insurgency and insecurity, also commands a significant voter base. Together, these two northern regions contributed over 55% of the votes in the 2023 general elections — votes that helped elect President Tinubu.
So, What Justifies This Imbalance?
There is no moral, strategic, or constitutional justification for this kind of regional favoritism. The numbers suggest a clear bias toward the South West — the President’s home region — at the expense of others. This is not leadership. It is sectionalism, and it sends a dangerous message: some regions matter more than others.
Development Must Be National, Not Personal
Equity is not a favor. It is a constitutional right. Every region, regardless of political loyalty, ethnicity, or geography, deserves a fair share of national development. Nigeria cannot afford to continue on a path where leadership is used as a tool to reward allies and marginalize others.
President Tinubu must be reminded: development must never be sectional. We need roads, hospitals, schools, and infrastructure across all regions — not just in Lagos or Ogun.
If this trend continues, it will deepen distrust, widen division, and jeopardize the fragile unity of our country.
Final Word
I am angry — and I am not alone. Tinubu's injustice and lack of fairness are what irritate Nigerians the most. This has to stop. The nation is watching.
End