Former Kano State governorship candidate and political commentator, Salihu Tanko Yakasai, has criticised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for what he described as a pattern of federal infrastructure concentration in Lagos State, to the detriment of other regions in the country.
In a post on his verified Facebook page, Yakasai — popularly known as Dawisu — raised concerns over what he called an “overwhelming allocation” of federal resources to Lagos.
He questioned the scale and number of high-cost projects being executed in the state, warning that the pattern could deepen regional inequality and undermine national cohesion.
Among the projects cited by Yakasai are the N15 trillion Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, the $651 million 7th Axial Road, the proposed $2 billion Lagos Light Rail project, and the University of Lagos Power Project.
He also referenced the Renewed Hope City initiative as part of what he described as a “trillions-naira investment concentration in Lagos.”
“Some justify the N712 billion rehabilitation of the Lagos International Airport because it’s profitable. I agree it’s important. But how many projects of that scale has Tinubu approved outside Lagos?” he asked.
Yakasai, a former media aide to ex-Kano State Governor Abdullahi Ganduje, compared Lagos’ infrastructure gains to the situation in his home state and other northern regions, where he argued that similar levels of federal investment are lacking.
“The idea that only Lagos is economically viable is flawed. If such investments were replicated elsewhere, other states could also flourish,” he said.
He also criticised President Tinubu’s approach to leadership, suggesting it lacked national inclusivity.
“Once elected, a president must represent all Nigerians — not one state or one tribe,” Yakasai stated.
In a pointed reference to Tinubu’s widely known campaign slogan, Yakasai said, “I understand Emi Lokan — but sometimes it feels like Tinubu is President of Lagos, not Nigeria. Even parts of the South West are being sidelined in favor of Lagos. Emi Lokan is starting to look more like Lagos Lokan.”
He called for equitable governance, adding, “Any objective Lagosian with a conscience will know this favoritism is unprecedented. But if the agenda must agend, go ahead. We will keep speaking — if only for the record.”
