***Calls for Presidential Intervention
The Arewa Youth Alliance for Sustainable Development (YASD) has expressed its outright rejection of the newly constituted leadership of the North West Development Commission, citing concerns over lack of inclusivity and alleged political maneuvering.
In a press statement jointly signed by the group’s Chairman, Mahmoud Zannah, and Vice Chairman, Aliyu Hassan, and made available to journalists on Sunday, the group appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to intervene and ensure fair representation across the region.
YASD criticized the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Tajudden Abbas, accusing him of personalizing the commission’s leadership appointments to further his 2027 governorship ambitions.
“The Speaker disregarded the legal framework for the commission’s establishment by failing to ensure inclusion and equal representation of all seven North West states in its management structure,” the statement read.
The group alleged that the Speaker unilaterally secured the positions of Chairman and Board Member for his home state without consulting the state governor or other stakeholders, effectively sidelining the broader interests of the region.
Arewa youth organizations from the seven North West states Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Jigawa, Sokoto, and Zamfara—described the appointments as “lopsided and disproportionate.”
“The lack of administrative procedure and due process in these appointments is unacceptable,” YASD stated, adding that earlier concerns raised about the initial appointments had been ignored.
The group called on President Tinubu to address the situation urgently and ensure that future appointments to the commission adhere to principles of inclusivity, good governance, and regional equity.
“We also urge governors, senators, and all National Assembly leaders from the North West geopolitical zone to intervene and ensure that the leadership of the commission reflects the collective aspirations of the region,” the statement added.
YASD reiterated its commitment to promoting fairness and inclusivity in governance and warned against actions that undermine the region’s unity and development.
“We reject and dismiss the actions of the Rt. Hon. Speaker and remain resolute in our demand for a leadership composition that represents all seven states in the North West fairly and equitably,” the statement concluded.
