Former Kano State gubernatorial candidate and political analyst, Salihu Tanko Yakasai, has decried President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s allocation of huge resources to the development and execution of federal infrastructure projects in Lagos State.
Yakasai, popularly known as Dawisu, opined that the disproportionate concentration of federal projects in Lagos at the detriment of other parts of the country reeks of regional favouritism that could threaten national unity and inclusive development.
In a post on his verified Facebook page, Yakasai said Tinubu is acting like the president of Lagos and not that of Nigeria.
Dawisu, a former media aide to ex-Kano Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, cited several high-cost federal projects in Lagos, including the N15 trillion Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, the $651 million 7th Axial Road, a proposed $2 billion Lagos Light Rail project, and the University of Lagos Power Project. He also mentioned the Renewed Hope City initiative as part of what he described as a “trillions-naira investment concentration in Lagos.”
“Some justify the N712 billion rehabilitation of the Lagos International Airport because it’s profitable. I agree it’s important. But how many projects of that scale has Tinubu approved outside Lagos?” he asked.
Contrasting Lagos’ gains with the situation in Kano, Dawisu expressed concern over what he sees as a lack of federal presence in his home state and other regions.
“The idea that only Lagos is economically viable is flawed. If such investments were replicated elsewhere, other states could also flourish,” he argued.
Dawisu further criticised Tinubu’s leadership style, warning against using presidential power for regional favouritism. “Once elected, a president must represent all Nigerians — not one state or one tribe,” he said.
Taking a direct swipe at the President’s famous campaign slogan, Dawisu remarked, “I understand Emi Lokan — but sometimes it feels like Tinubu is President of Lagos, not Nigeria. Even parts of the South West are being sidelined in favour of Lagos. Emi Lokan is starting to look more like Lagos Lokan.”
He concluded by urging fair-minded Nigerians to recognise the imbalance: “Any objective Lagosian with a conscience will know this favouritism is unprecedented. But if the agenda must be, go ahead. We will keep speaking — if only for the record.”