Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State has said that past political leaders from northern Nigeria should apologise for the many problems the region is facing today.

Speaking in an interview with Daily Trust, the governor said that anyone who held a political office in the North in the last 20 years must accept some blame and say sorry to the people for letting them down.

Governor Sani explained that the challenges in the North didn’t begin just two years ago. He believes the issues have been growing for the past two decades. He also criticised some former leaders who are now speaking against the current government even though they were once part of it.

He said: “We didn’t fight the military back then just to win elections. We fought for democracy and the people. I don’t mind people who criticise the government, but it’s wrong when those who were in power before now act like they are not part of the problem.”

Sani added that past northern leaders should take a good look at themselves and apologise to the people. According to him, the region is suffering because of decisions made over the last 20 years.

He pointed out that even when former President Buhari spent a lot of money on social programs, many people in the North remained poor. He said this is because 70% of the people are still left out of financial systems.

“Whether you were a president, governor, senator, or a member of the House of Representatives, if you held office in the past 20 years, you are part of the problem,” Governor Sani said. “We must stop misleading the people of northern Nigeria.”