North Not Marginalised, Says Ex-FCT Minister Modibbo

 

A former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Aliyu Modibbo, has dismissed claims that Northern Nigeria is being marginalised in the current political arrangement, insisting that the region has received its constitutional entitlements.

Modibbo spoke on Friday during an interview on Trust TV, where he responded to concerns about the alleged sidelining of the North in federal appointments and resource distribution.

He faulted what he described as “the narrative being peddled” about marginalisation, arguing that the composition of the Federal Executive Council, FEC, reflects constitutional provisions.

“What people have been peddling is that the North is marginalised. How?” he queried.

“When ministers were appointed, each state submitted its nominee. No state was represented twice at the expense of another. The President also reserves the prerogative to make additional appointments where necessary,” he said.

According to him, the Constitution clearly stipulates that every state must be represented in the FEC, a provision he said has been adhered to.

“The North got its right in line with what the Constitution provides. Every state has a minister in the Federal Executive Council,” he stated.

On revenue allocation and federal interventions, Modibbo maintained that no Northern state has been denied its statutory allocation or excluded from presidential interventions.

“Is there any state in the North that has been denied its allocation? Or any federal intervention that did not extend to Northern governors?” he asked.

He urged stakeholders to focus on constructive engagement rather than promoting divisive narratives capable of heightening regional tensions.