What seemed like a tribute to President Bola Tinubu in Kaduna has instead triggered scorn from several northern civic organizations.
They have openly rejected the Federal Government’s planned ceremony, arguing it’s misplaced in light of persistent regional hardship.
These groups emphasise that the North continues to grapple with insecurity, rising poverty, and crumbling infrastructure.
Rather than ceremonial pomp, they say restorative projects like food security, improved health, and better governance deserve urgent focus.
A coalition of northern stakeholders recently released a communique stating that organizing a celebratory event at this time would amount to tone-deaf symbolism.
They argued that many communities still endure daily hardship, a fact not reflected in the proposed festivities.
This stand joins a broader pattern of pushback from Northern groups over perceived neglect by Mr Tinubu’s administration.
While some civic bodies have rallied behind the president, others, especially Northern Elders, have voiced concern or regret over past political support.
Critics warn that a celebratory event now risks alienating citizens still awaiting meaningful change. They suggest redirecting funds into grassroots development and security initiatives instead of pageantry.
Some of them reject any celebration that they see as overlooking the region’s unresolved suffering.
As the planned event approaches, public pressure mounts for the FG to reconsider.
