Catholic Bishop in Sokoto, Matthew Kukah, has stated that northern Nigeria would likely make more progress under a president who is not a Muslim from the region.
In a published interview at the weekend, Kukah said he has always shared this view with his friends in the North because history shows that the region has not benefited much from having many of its own people in power.
According to him, Northern leaders have governed Nigeria for the longest period since Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa’s time as Prime Minister, yet the North still faces numerous challenges
In Kukah’s words: “I have always said to my friends in the North: ‘let me tell you, I am convinced that northern Nigeria will be better-off under a president who is not necessarily a Muslim from northern Nigeria. Because, look at the records, from Tafawa Balewa till date, who has governed Nigeria the most? And what do we have to show for it?”.
