Nigerian activist and businessman Mahdi Shehu has publicly criticized Northern politicians on his verified X page. Shehu highlighted that, despite the substantial revenues and incomes amounting to N214 trillion received by the 19 Northern states from May 2015 to April 2024, the region continues to suffer from extreme poverty, illiteracy, and a lack of creativity. The sources of these funds include monthly federal allocations, federal government bailouts, grants, loans from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), interventions from the CBN, foreign grants and loans, internally generated revenues, disposal of assets, and income from investments.
Shehu expressed his disappointment and labeled it a scandal that such vast financial resources have not translated into development. Instead, he argued, rampant looting and corruption among politicians have driven millions of Northerners to migrate to the southern parts of Nigeria, where they pose significant security and environmental threats.
He asserted that southern societies are under no obligation to support these "man-made parasites and destitute," who are victims of greed, insensitivity, and corruption by Northern leaders. Shehu warned that should the consequences of their actions catch up with these leaders, the resulting upheaval will make current issues like Boko Haram, kidnapping, and selective killings seem insignificant. He predicted that the destitute Northerners would return to their region, potentially making it ungovernable and leading to severe repercussions for those responsible.
Shehu concluded with a stark warning that a day of reckoning is approaching for the corrupt and heartless leaders of the North.