The president of the Civil Rights Congress (CRC) in Nigeria, Shehu Sani, today warned fellow northern Nigerians not to depend on revenues earned from crude oil in the Niger Delta. In a biting criticism of northern leadership, the activist expressed dismay with what he characterized as a lack of imagination in revenue generation. He flayed the fact that no northern state has the capacity to pay salaries for even one month without the benefit of monthly allocations from the federation account. The shared revenue comes almost exclusively from crude oil exports.
Mr. Sani, who is seeking a seat in the Senate on the ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC), issued the caution today. His latest statement was part of his campaign to sensitize poor Nigerians on the dangers of selling their conscience during the forthcoming 2015 elections.
Mr. Sani made the point today in a speech directed at economically deprived Nigerians in his Kaduna base, including retired workers of Nigeria’s comatose railway industry. The activist, who wants to seek the Kaduna Central Senatorial seat, told his audience to abandon their dependence on the Niger Delta’s oil money.
In a social media post, Mr. Sani’s campaign office quoted the activist as saying, “Time has passed that Northern States will continue to survive on Niger Delta’s oil money; our states are bereft of any idea that will generate revenue to run our affairs. There is no single state in the north than can pay one month salaries without federation allocation.”
Mr. Sani stated, “Federation allocation is derived from sale of Niger Delta oil,” adding that to solely depend on such funds to drive development in the northern part of Nigeria spelt danger and disaster for the future. “Is it possible for someone to be feeding you without controlling you?” he asked, adding, that “visionary leaders like Sir Ahmadu Bello” foresaw the dangers. Mr. Sani accused the North’s current crop of leaders of betraying “the cause of the common good.” According to him, “If today Nigeria is split, the north is in danger.” He implored northern voters against selling their votes.
“Talk to your neighbors and relations who are delegates, they shouldn’t sell your future for peanuts. We must resist money politics and ensure only credible people are elected. We must protect our votes. We are only number one in population. We have [the] highest number of senators, governors, local governments, councilors, but have highest numbers of beggars and oppressed citizens,” he said.