Former Governor of Jigawa State, Sule Lamido, has strongly criticized the recent food distribution by Seyi Tinubu, the son of President Bola Tinubu, in northern Nigeria.
Lamido condemned the initiative as a “humiliation” and an insult to the region’s people.
Speaking to an audience in Hausa, Lamido expressed his dissatisfaction, describing the gesture as politically motivated and degrading. “People speak of Arewa’s bravery and integrity, yet Tinubu is going to Sokoto and Kano, handing out cooked rice to our people,” Lamido said, highlighting the perceived dishonor of the act.
He went further to question the appropriateness of the initiative as a form of governance, stating, “Is this how to govern or promote good governance? What Tinubu is doing to the northern people is an insult.”
Lamido also lamented the decline of the region, which was once home to influential leaders such as Aminu Kano, Sardauna (Sir Ahmadu Bello), and Tafawa Balewa. “Arewa, which produced great leaders, is now being reduced to a place where people are only given cooked rice,” he added.
Urging unity within the region, Lamido warned against accepting what he considered an intentional attempt to undermine the northern people. “It is up to us to unite and resist this humiliation or allow an outsider to come and belittle us,” he said. Lamido further emphasized the importance of standing up for the right cause, declaring, “If we stay on the right track in this country, no one can ever defeat us.”
The food distribution event, which took place in several northern states, including Niger, involved handing out food packages during Ramadan. The packages, containing items like Danwake (a traditional dish made from bean flour), were packaged in plastic bags adorned with images of President Tinubu and his son. This initiative, however, sparked considerable backlash within northern communities, with many viewing it as a political maneuver aimed at garnering favor amid ongoing economic challenges in the region.
