A former aide to ex-President Muhammadu Buhari, Ismael Ahmed, has revealed that some northern elites feel alienated from President Bola Tinubu’s administration, despite their region’s significant contribution to his electoral victory.
Ahmed, a former Senior Special Adviser on Social Investment Programmes, made this statement during an interview on Channels Television.
According to Ahmed, many northerners believe they played a crucial role in getting Tinubu into office and are now questioning whether they are fully represented in his administration.
This sentiment is echoed by prominent northern leaders, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former Senator Shehu Sani, and Senate Chief Whip Ali Ndume, who have criticized Tinubu’s appointments for not adequately reflecting the north’s electoral contributions.
The Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, has also publicly withdrawn his support for Tinubu’s administration, citing frustrations with its policies.
Ahmed noted that while similar concerns exist in the Southeast, eastern political figures have been less vocal about their grievances.