A former senior Nigerian military officer and traditional ruler has issued a strong critique of Northern Nigeria’s political class, arguing the region’s challenges stem from decades of internal leadership failure rather than the policies of President Bola Tinubu.
Mustapha Jokolo, who served as Aide-de-Camp to former Head of State Muhammadu Buhari and was the 19th Emir of Gwandu, made the remarks in a recorded interview disseminated by PRNigeria. His assessment directly challenges a common narrative in the North that attributes current economic hardship and insecurity to the federal government.
Jokolo noted the paradox of Northern political dominance since independence, with the region producing multiple presidents, key ministers, and top military chiefs. Despite this, development remains limited. He attributed the shortfall to “nepotism, incompetence, and self-serving leadership” within parts of the region’s elite.
He was particularly critical of the eight-year administration of his former principal, Muhammadu Buhari (2015-2023). Jokolo alleged Buhari delegated excessive power to a small inner circle, including Mamman Daura, at the expense of broader expertise. He contended the period was a missed opportunity for regional renewal, during which poverty and insecurity instead worsened.
Turning to the current administration, Jokolo defended President Tinubu, suggesting many of Nigeria’s structural problems predate his tenure. He cited Tinubu’s record as Lagos State governor, where state-led reforms succeeded despite federal funding disputes, to argue that internal resolve matters more than central allocations. “Why should Tinubu be blamed for everything today?” Jokolo asked. “We should look inward.”
The former emir also highlighted a decline in influential Northern institutions like the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, which he said have lost their guiding role. He pointed to ongoing royal disputes, such as in Kano, as symbols of disunity. Furthermore, he criticized elites for inadequate investment in education and social welfare compared to philanthropic norms in other regions.
Invoking the legacy of the late Sardauna of Sokoto, Sir Ahmadu Bello, Jokolo called for a revival of merit-based, disciplined, and inclusive governance. He warned that appointments based on loyalty over competence have weakened institutions.
“Across the North today, there is little cohesion or shared direction,” he stated. “If we want progress, we must first interrogate ourselves. Tinubu is not our fundamental problem—we are our own problem.”
Jokolo’s commentary adds a prominent voice to intra-Northern debates on accountability. His biography—as a retired army officer, former aide to Buhari, and deposed traditional ruler whose legal battles reached the Supreme Court—lends a unique perspective to his call for self-reflection within the region’s leadership.
