‘Arewa is not begging region’ — Sule Lamido tackles Seyi Tinubu over food aid
Sule Lamido, the former governor of Jigawa, says the recent visit of Seyi Tinubu, son of President Bola Tinubu, to northern Nigeria, where he provided food to locals during the Ramadan fasting, was an insult to the people of the region.
Lamido accused Seyi Tinubu of presenting the area as one that survives on handouts and called the conduct “humiliating” and an affront to the dignity of the northern people.
Addressing a gathering, Lamido criticised the gesture as demeaning and politically driven.
“You will hear people saying that Arewa is known for bravery and integrity, yet Tinubu is going to Sokoto and Kano, distributing cooked rice to our people,” Lamido said.
“This is total humiliation. Is this how to govern or promote good governance? What Tinubu is doing to the northern people is an insult.
“Is this what we have been subjected to? This is the height of humiliation, and they know it. Arewa, which produced great leaders like Aminu Kano, Sardauna (Sir Ahmadu Bello), Tafawa Balewa, and many other prominent figures, is now being reduced to a region where people are only given cooked rice.
“However, it is up to us to unite and resist this humiliation or fold our hands and allow an outsider to come to our region and belittle us.
“It is time to stand for what is right. If we stay on the right track in this country, no one can ever defeat us.”
During his recent trip to some northern states, including Niger, Seyi Tinubu distributed food parcels, bearing pictures of President Tinubu and himself.
One of the items distributed was Danwake, a local delicacy prepared with bean flour and wrapped in plastic bags with the president’s picture on them.
Many northerners have criticised the food distribution describing it as disrespectful.
Critics contended that providing simple street food at Ramadan Iftar, a Muslim holy hour, was a political ploy to win over the people in the face of economic distress rather than an act of true charity.
Social media users also expressed their disapproval, casting doubt on Seyi Tinubu’s acts’ timing and sincerity.
