“Tinubu Is Acting Like President of Lagos, Not Nigeria” – Yakasai
Former Kano State gubernatorial candidate and political analyst Salihu Tanko Yakasai, popularly known as Dawisu, has criticized President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for what he described as a lopsided allocation of federal infrastructure projects favoring Lagos State at the expense of other regions.
In a strongly worded statement shared on his verified Facebook page, Yakasai questioned what he called the “overwhelming allocation” of national resources to Lagos, warning that the trend could erode national unity and undermine inclusive development.
Yakasai pointed to several major projects concentrated in Lagos, including the N15 trillion Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, the \$651 million 7th Axial Road, a proposed \$2 billion Lagos Light Rail project, the University of Lagos Power Project, and the Renewed Hope City initiative. He described these as part of a “trillions-naira investment concentration in Lagos.”
While acknowledging the economic importance of projects like the N712 billion rehabilitation of the Lagos International Airport, Yakasai questioned the absence of similarly scaled developments in other states. “How many projects of that scale has Tinubu approved outside Lagos?” he asked.
Highlighting the lack of comparable federal investments in his native Kano and other regions, Yakasai challenged the narrative that Lagos is the only economically viable part of the country. “If such investments were replicated elsewhere, other states could also flourish,” he said.
He also took aim at President Tinubu’s leadership style, cautioning against what he views as the misuse of presidential power to favor a particular region. “Once elected, a president must represent all Nigerians — not one state or one tribe,” he stated.
Referencing the President’s well-known campaign slogan, Yakasai remarked, “I understand Emi Lokan — but sometimes it feels like Tinubu is President of Lagos, not Nigeria. Even parts of the South West are being sidelined in favor of Lagos. Emi Lokan is starting to look more like Lagos Lokan.”
He concluded by urging Nigerians to acknowledge the growing imbalance. “Any objective Lagosian with a conscience will know this favoritism is unprecedented. But if the agenda must agend, go ahead. We will keep speaking — if only for the record,” he said.
