Call for Equitable Representation of Niger State in the North Central Development Commission (NCDC)
The long-awaited constitution of the Board and Executive Management of the North Central Development Commission (NCDC) has been finalized. While Niger State has been granted one Non-Executive Director and one Executive Director position, we firmly believe that this allocation falls significantly short of what the state rightfully deserves.
Our concerns stem from two key points:
1. The political and electoral support that Niger State provided to this administration, and
2. The fact that Niger State advocated for the location of the Commission’s headquarters and later conceded this to Nasarawa State.
Let us review the facts: during the 2023 presidential election, Niger State delivered over 375,000 votes—the highest in the North Central Zone, the fourth highest in Northern Nigeria, and sixth nationally. Additionally, we secured two out of three senatorial seats and 70% of House of Representatives seats, while also electing an APC governor. This strong display of support should not be overlooked.
Moreover, Niger State initially contested for the NCDC headquarters location alongside Nasarawa State. We graciously conceded the headquarters location to Nasarawa, expecting that this gesture would be acknowledged by awarding at least one of the Commission’s two principal positions—the Managing Director/CEO or Chairman. Regrettably, we have received neither.
This decision is inequitable and undermines the delicate ethnocultural and political balance within the North Central region, which is broadly divided into two ethnocultural blocs:
– The Benue-Plateau-Nasarawa axis
– The Niger-Kogi-Kwara-FCT axis
It is therefore politically and morally imperative that the principal offices of Chairman and Managing Director be shared across these blocs. Currently, both top positions and the Commission’s headquarters are concentrated within one bloc—the Benue-Plateau-Nasarawa axis.
We respectfully urge His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, to intervene and rectify this glaring imbalance. Niger State has earned its rightful place through loyalty, sacrifice, and contributions. We seek not favor, but fairness.
Dr. Mohammed K. Santuraki
(Santurakin Nupe)
APC Stakeholder, Niger State
