North-Central APC Forum Demands Fair Share of N2.4 Trillion Development Budget
The North-Central All Progressives Congress (APC) Forum has expressed its dissatisfaction with the exclusion of the region from the N2.493 trillion allocated for regional development commissions in Nigeria’s 2025 proposed budget. In a statement issued on Friday by its Chairman, Alhaji Saleh Zazzaga, the Forum denounced the absence of a development commission for the North-Central zone, which has resulted in the region missing out on significant funding meant for regional development.
Despite being one of the most politically active regions in Nigeria, the North-Central remains the only zone without a regional development commission. The five other geopolitical zones—South-South, North-West, South-West, South-East, and North-East—each have their own dedicated commissions receiving allocations from the Ministry of Regional Development, which was established by President Bola Tinubu in 2025. These commissions are responsible for addressing development challenges in their respective regions, with funding to support key infrastructure and capital projects.
A History of Neglect: North-Central Calls for Equity in National Development
According to the APC Forum, the exclusion of North-Central from the budget is an act of injustice and marginalization. The statement highlighted that, despite the region’s strong support for President Bola Tinubu’s administration in the 2023 elections—ranking second after the South-West in terms of overall electoral support—the zone continues to be neglected in national development plans. The Forum noted that North-Central’s early endorsement of President Tinubu’s second-term bid further demonstrated the region’s commitment to the government’s Renewed Hope Agenda, making its exclusion from the 2025 budget particularly disheartening.
The Forum warned that such marginalization could have long-lasting effects on the region’s growth and development, urging the government to address the issue promptly to avoid an “irrecoverable setback” for North-Central.
Calls for Action: Accelerating the North-Central Development Commission Bill
The North-Central APC Forum has called for immediate action to accelerate the establishment of a regional development commission for the zone. A bill to create the North-Central Development Commission has already been presented to the National Assembly but is currently pending. The Forum is urging lawmakers to ensure the bill’s swift passage and to include the region in the 2025 budget, possibly through a supplementary budget.
Additionally, the Forum advocates for the leadership of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, in championing the North-Central cause, urging him to prioritize the region’s development over local political issues. The Forum also called on North-Central governors, led by Nasarawa State Governor Abdullahi Sule, to take charge in advocating for the establishment of the commission.
Unity for North-Central: A Call for National Support
The North-Central APC Forum has appealed to all Nigerians to support its efforts to correct the perceived wrongs against the region. The Forum emphasized that no part of the country should be left behind in the pursuit of equitable development, highlighting that the exclusion of North-Central from the 2025 budget’s regional development allocations is a critical issue that requires national attention and action.
The Forum is rallying for collective support to ensure that the North-Central region receives its fair share of development resources and can contribute to the overall progress of Nigeria.
