Former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi has expressed deep concern over the exclusion of the North Central Regional Commission from the budgetary allocations provided to other regional commissions in the 2025 proposed budget.
Obi emphasized that this omission is troubling and must be urgently reversed to ensure even development and peace across the country.
A total of N2.493 trillion has been allocated to five regional development commissions, with the North Central Regional Commission glaringly omitted. Obi highlighted the severe challenges faced by the North Central region, including relentless terror attacks and banditry in Plateau, Benue, Kogi, and Niger States. These issues have caused immense suffering, significant loss of lives, and forced countless families into internally displaced persons (IDP) camps, making the North Central one of the most affected and vulnerable regions in Nigeria.
As the agricultural backbone of the nation, the North Central region deserves robust support to enhance security, stability, and development for the benefit of the entire country. Obi called on the government and National Assembly to urgently review and rectify this decision, emphasizing the importance of addressing the needs of the region for the overall development of Nigeria.
Obi concluded by urging collective efforts toward a more inclusive and equitable Nigeria, stating that a New Nigeria is not just a dream—it is possible.
