By Isreal Adamu, Jos
The North-Central All Progressives Congress (APC) Forum has applauded President Bola Tinubu for signing into law the bill establishing the North-Central Development Commission (NCDC), marking a historic milestone for the region. Senate President Godswill Akpabio announced the signing of the bill on Tuesday during a Senate session, stating that the President had assented to the North-Central Development Commission Establishment Bill 2024 to bring development to the grassroots.
The decision comes just days after the North-Central APC Forum raised concerns over the exclusion of the region from the ₦2.493 trillion allocated to regional development commissions in the proposed 2025 budget. Before this development, the North-Central was the only geo-political zone in Nigeria without a dedicated development commission, despite similar bodies existing for the other five regions: Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) for the South-South, North West Development Commission (NWDC), South West Development Commission (SWDC), South East Development Commission (SEDC), and North East Development Commission (NEDC).
These commissions, under the Ministry of Regional Development, had been earmarked for substantial funding in the 2025 budget, with allocations as follows: NDDC receiving ₦776.53 billion, NWDC ₦585.93 billion, SWDC ₦498.40 billion, SEDC ₦341.27 billion, and NEDC ₦291 billion. With the establishment of the NCDC, it is expected that President Tinubu will submit a supplementary budget to the National Assembly to ensure the commission is adequately funded in the 2025 fiscal year.
Reacting to the announcement, the North-Central APC Forum expressed deep appreciation to President Tinubu, describing him as a listening leader. In a statement issued on Tuesday, Forum Chairman Alhaji Saleh Zazzaga, a key figure in Tinubu’s 2023 presidential campaign, said that the North-Central APC Forum commends President Bola Tinubu for signing into law the bill establishing the North-Central Development Commission, adding that the President’s action shows he values equity and justice.
Zazzaga highlighted that the exclusion of the North-Central from regional development funding in the proposed 2025 budget was an injustice, which the Forum had publicly decried. He stated that they had cried out that such injustice was unacceptable to the people of the North-Central, who deserve to be treated as equals to other Nigerians rather than being subjected to marginalization and neglect. He further remarked that they now feel vindicated for supporting President Tinubu in the 2023 election, as he has listened to their concerns and acted accordingly.
The Forum emphasized that the NCDC would accelerate development in the North-Central, ensuring the region does not fall behind other parts of the country. Furthermore, the group stated that Tinubu’s action had strengthened their confidence in his leadership, leading them to officially endorse him for a second term in office. They noted that the establishment of the North-Central Development Commission will drive economic growth, infrastructural development, and prosperity across the region, while also commending members of the National Assembly and other leaders who played vital roles in making this a reality.
The Forum urged the federal government to quickly allocate funds for the NCDC through a supplementary budget, ensuring that projects begin immediately. Efforts to establish a development commission for the North-Central had previously failed. Under former President Muhammadu Buhari, a bill proposing the NCDC had passed first and second readings in the 9th Senate but did not receive presidential assent before the administration ended. With President Tinubu’s approval, the long-awaited commission is now set to commence operations, bringing hope and opportunities to the North-Central region.
