North Has Every Reason to Be Angry, Let’s Wait for 2027 and See What Happens – Dr Usman Bugaje Revealed

As conversations around Nigeria’s 2027 elections begin to heat up, northern voices are becoming more assertive. One of those voices is Dr. Usman Bugaje, a former federal lawmaker and prominent figure in the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), who has spoken out strongly about the early evaluations of the current administration and what lies ahead for the North.

During an interview with Daily Trust, Bugaje dismissed claims that criticisms from the North are premature. He explained that in modern governance, a government’s direction can be assessed within its first 100 days—through appointments, policy choices, and budget proposals. He emphasized that early evaluations are based on structured analysis, not just personal or political sentiments.

He stated that the current administration had shown from the outset that it lacked the capacity to address the country’s deep-rooted issues, insisting that two years is more than enough time to determine performance. Addressing concerns from the presidency about northern criticisms, Bugaje pushed back against what he described as misplaced narratives. He said it was wrong to accuse the North of ingratitude, especially since the region provided significant support during the last election. In his words, “And I think the North has every reason to be angry. There are people who say the North is poor and can always be swayed with money during elections. People say all sorts of things. That’s fine—let them talk. Let’s wait for 2027 and see what happens.”

He also rejected the idea that the North has been inconsistent in its stance toward past administrations. While some argue the ACF gave Buhari eight years of leniency, Bugaje maintained that many Northerners, himself included, criticized Buhari’s government from the beginning, calling it a disaster that left lasting damage.

On the ongoing debate about regional power shifts, Bugaje said the focus on North versus South was a distraction. He stressed that leadership should not be about geography but about values, competence, and integrity. According to him, being from the North doesn’t automatically make one a good leader, pointing out that past leaders from the region had also failed the nation.

Bugaje concluded by urging Nigerians to rethink how they select leaders, calling for clear criteria that go beyond basic constitutional requirements. He said the real conversation should center on leadership quality—not regional politics.