The All Progressives Congress (APC) National Vice Chairman (North-East), Comrade Mustapha Salihu, has dismissed claims by some northern elites that President Bola Tinubu’s administration has neglected the region.

Naijaonpoint reports that Salihu, who spoke in an interview with Punch on Monday, described such insinuations as “cheap blackmail,” insisting that the aggrieved voices represent personal interests rather than the collective interest of the North.

The APC chieftain accused previous administrations of diverting funds meant for development to serve the same elites now accusing Tinubu of marginalisation.

“Our past governments only took care of their interest while our infrastructure development was suffering, youths’ development and other sectors were suffering because funds meant for projects were diverted to servicing the same people that enjoyed government and retired,” Salihu said.

He stressed that Tinubu’s government cannot channel funds meant for national development into catering for elites who, in his words, “add no value to Nigeria’s growth.”

Salihu further challenged northern elites to examine the federal budget and allocation records, noting that the region enjoys the bulk of national resources and appointments.

“I challenge northern elites to check the budgets of ministries headed by northern ministers. The North takes more than half of our budget, so how can anyone say this administration is against the North, if it’s not just for cheap blackmail?” he queried.

He also argued that northern governors receive higher allocations than at any other time, even when presidents from the region were in power.

The APC vice chairman urged northern elites to hold their governors accountable for the huge allocations received, adding that the lack of visible development lies with them.

“Even when northern presidents were in office, such money was not allocated to northern governors. So, how can anyone now accuse this government of marginalising the region?” he asked.

Turning to politics, Salihu expressed confidence that President Tinubu has no viable opponent ahead of the 2027 general elections.

“There is a Hausa adage that says you know a good weekend from Wednesday. So the by-elections have confirmed that the APC will be victorious in the next general elections,” he declared.

He advised opposition leaders, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi, to join Tinubu in the task of nation-building.

“They can remain in their political parties, but work together with the APC for development. It is happening in the USA, China, and other countries. President Obasanjo, during his tenure, formed a unity government. It can still work for our youth’s future,” he said.

On allegations that he was once caught with an Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) box in his car, Salihu dismissed the claim as “blackmail.”

“I challenge PDP to show the video that shows that INEC election box was found in my car. This thing happened after the voting was even over. Moreover, what will I be doing with the election box if it is not to tarnish my hard-earned reputation?” he said.

He explained that his car was searched in the presence of PDP chieftains and security agents but nothing was found.

Salihu also took a swipe at the Adamawa State PDP chairman, whom he accused of failing to keep his word after losing the Ganye by-election.

“The PDP chairman is from Ganye. He said that if he loses the Ganye by-election, he will resign. He lost his unit, his ward, and the entire local government. Let me see when and if he is going to truly resign as a man of his words,” he said.