The Minority Leader of the Sokoto State House of Assembly, Alhaji Abubakar Magaji, has criticised the administration of President Bola Tinubu, saying the Federal Government has not delivered the level of development Nigerians expected in its three years in office.
Magaji, who represents Bodinga North Constituency under the African Democratic Congress (ADC), made the remarks on Tuesday in Sokoto while speaking with journalists on the performance of the Federal Government, particularly in the northern region.
The lawmaker said that, despite the resources available to the Federal Government, he had yet to see sufficient progress to warrant celebration.
‘As far as I am concerned, as a serving legislator, if we are talking about progress in terms of leadership in our country, I can say without any fear of contradiction that I have not seen any progress under the Tinubu administration,’ he said.
Magaji also said he had not seen any significant development in the North that could be described as worthy of celebration under the present administration.
He called on the Federal Government to intensify efforts to address the country’s infrastructure deficit and other development challenges.
According to him, the projects being cited by supporters of the administration should be considered against the huge resources available to the Federal Government.
He cited the proposed Trans-Sahara road linking Illela in Sokoto State to Badagry in Lagos as one of the major projects being highlighted by the administration.
‘The only thing people are talking about is the Trans-Sahara road from Illela to Badagry. We need more than that, considering the huge resources available to the present administration,’ Magaji said.
The lawmaker also expressed concern over the security situation in Sokoto State, claiming that insecurity had affected most of the state’s 23 local government areas.
He said only Sokoto North and Sokoto South remained relatively free from the security challenges affecting other parts of the state.
‘What is happening now in Sokoto State is terrible. Out of the 23 Local Government Areas, only two are not vulnerable to security threats.
‘Apart from Sokoto South and Sokoto North Local Government Areas, none of the remaining 21 LGAs is safe,’ he said.
Magaji said the security situation had forced residents of affected communities to abandon their homes and relocate to safer areas.
He disclosed that he was currently accommodating more than 20 displaced persons at his four-bedroom residence.
‘Even at my residence, a four-bedroom apartment, I have to host more than 20 people under my roof.
‘This has become an odd situation because during the tenure of the late President Muhammadu Buhari, only seven out of the 23 LGAs were vulnerable to security challenges,’ he added.