Calculated Criticism or Hidden Campaign? Kwankwaso Accused of Indirectly Promoting Tinubu’s Achievements in the North

Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso. In the ever-evolving dynamics of Nigerian politics, a new twist has emerged following recent remarks by former Kano State governor and 2023 NNPP presidential candidate, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso. A prominent chieftain of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Ayekooto Akindele, has alleged that Kwankwaso’s recent criticism of President Bola Tinubu is actually a strategic move to indirectly market the president’s achievements in the northern region.

Kwankwaso had stirred controversy last Thursday when he publicly accused President Tinubu’s administration of sidelining the North in the allocation of federal resources and developmental projects. His comments rekindled the long-running debate over regional equity in governance—a sensitive and politically charged subject in Nigeria.

OSUN MEGA DRAW: Weekly Raffle Set To Make Millionaires, Boost State Revenue

A Strategy Cloaked in Criticism?

Akindele, in his reaction to the development, dismissed Kwankwaso’s accusations as a deliberate political maneuver rather than a genuine expression of concern. According to the APC stalwart, the former NNPP presidential hopeful intentionally made his statement to provoke a response from the presidency, thereby drawing attention to Tinubu’s often underreported accomplishments in the North.

“Kwankwaso doesn’t want to personally market Tinubu so that no one says he’s defending his friend,” Akindele argued. “He knows what he’s doing. He’s using calculated criticism as a political strategy to get the government’s media machinery to do the talking.”

This accusation follows the presidency’s swift rebuttal through Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Sunday Dare, who outlined a host of federal projects currently ongoing in the North. Dare maintained that President Tinubu remains committed to balanced development across all geopolitical zones, despite Kwankwaso’s assertions to the contrary.

“The President has always viewed Nigeria as a single, united entity,” Dare stated. “The notion that development is skewed in favour of any region is both unfounded and misleading.”

Highlighting What Was Once Hidden

Akindele further noted that the outcome of Kwankwaso’s statements has ironically favored the Tinubu administration. He claimed that several achievements, previously obscured or under-publicized, are now being spotlighted due to the public discourse triggered by Kwankwaso’s remarks.

“Those in charge of projecting these developmental strides have been slow to act,” Akindele lamented. “Now, thanks to Kwankwaso’s comments, the achievements are being pushed into the spotlight, and Nigerians are beginning to see the scale of development happening up North.”

Among the achievements referenced are extensive infrastructure projects, including road networks, rail rehabilitation, agricultural investments, and power supply upgrades. Akindele revealed that over 52% of the Tinubu administration’s current infrastructure efforts are concentrated in the North, a statistic that may come as a surprise to many.

“It’s not just the security budget that leans towards the North—nearly 52% of infrastructure spending does too,” he emphasized. “That changes the entire narrative.”

North-South Balance Back in the Spotlight

Kwankwaso’s comments and the ensuing political reactions have reignited the national debate around equitable development, a topic that has long polarized Nigeria’s geopolitical discourse. While some view his critique as a genuine concern for Northern interests, others—like Akindele—interpret it as a veiled endorsement of Tinubu’s balanced governance strategy.

The North-South development conversation has historically been a flashpoint in Nigerian politics, often influencing electoral behavior, party alliances, and public trust in governance. Analysts believe that by raising these issues, Kwankwaso is reasserting his relevance in national politics and possibly positioning himself for future negotiations or political alignments.

Political observers are now left to decipher whether Kwankwaso’s statement was a calculated ploy to stimulate national attention or a strategic ploy to subtly shift public opinion in favour of Tinubu.

Regardless of intent, one thing is certain: Kwankwaso’s comments have spurred a renewed focus on Tinubu’s northern agenda and have inadvertently allowed the presidency to reaffirm its commitment to inclusive development.