By Isreal Adamu, Jos
The North-Central All Progressives Congress (APC) Forum has expressed outrage over the exclusion of the North-Central region from the N2.493 trillion allocated to regional development commissions in the proposed 2025 budget.
In a statement signed by its Chairman, Alhaji Saleh Zazzaga, the Forum described the omission as an act of injustice and marginalization against the region, which remains the only geopolitical zone in Nigeria without a development commission.
Calls for Inclusion in the Budget
The Forum criticized the absence of a North-Central Development Commission, which has resulted in the region being left out of the budget allocated to other geopolitical zones. The funds are managed by five regional commissions, including the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), North West Development Commission (NWDC), South West Development Commission (SWDC), South East Development Commission (SEDC), and North East Development Commission (NEDC).
The N2.4 trillion budget allocation is distributed as follows:
- NDDC: ₦776.53 billion
- NWDC: ₦585.93 billion
- SWDC: ₦498.40 billion
- SEDC: ₦341.27 billion
- NEDC: ₦291 billion
Renewed Push for a Development Commission
The Forum noted that efforts to establish a North-Central Development Commission have stalled, with a bill passed by the 9th Senate failing to secure presidential assent. A fresh bill is currently pending in the National Assembly.
The statement emphasized the region’s significant contributions to the APC-led Federal Government, particularly during the 2023 elections, and expressed disappointment over the perceived neglect.
“For us in the North-Central APC Forum, this is even more worrisome because in the last election, after the South-West, the North-Central ranked second in terms of delivering support for President Bola Tinubu. Despite this, we are being rewarded with neglect,” the Forum stated.
Appeal for Action
The Forum called for expedited action to establish a development commission for the region and urged the inclusion of the North-Central in a supplementary budget for 2025.
“No section of the country should be left behind in the quest for development. The North-Central must not be made to lag behind other zones,” the statement read.
Leadership Accountability
The Forum urged the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, to prioritize the interests of the North-Central region. It also called on the North-Central Governors Forum, led by Nasarawa State Governor Abdullahi Sule, to champion the establishment of a development commission.
The Forum concluded with an appeal to all Nigerians to support efforts to rectify the exclusion of the North-Central region from the 2025 budget.
