“You voted for change and now change has come” 

– President-elect Muhammadu Buhari in his acceptance speech following President Goodluck Jonathan’s concession and congratulatory phone call.

The North Central geo-political zone in Nigeria is arguably Nigeria’s most heterogeneous zone with a diverse mix of ethnic minorities and different religious groups.

It was on the back of this zone that President Goodluck Jonathan rode to victory in 2011, losing only in Niger state to Muhammadu Buhari under the umbrella of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC). Similarly, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) swept the governorship elections in all states except Nasarawa state and held a majority of seats from the zone in the National Assembly and State Houses of Assembly.

In 2015, the North Central states of Benue, Kogi, Kwara, Nasarawa, Niger and Plateau delivered overwhelming victories to the All Progressives Congress (APC) in not only the Presidential but also National Assembly, Governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections.

The North Central geo-political zone is many times used interchangeably with the Middle Belt, which transcends geo-political boundaries to include ethnic nationalities with similar histories and interests in parts of Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, FCT, Gombe, Kaduna, Kebbi, Taraba and Yobe states. The expectations of the North Central zone therefore are cross cutting and go beyond geographical and political delineations.

In a few days, as Muhammdu Buhari is sworn in as the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, there is a huge burden of expectation on him and his administration from the North Central zone.

These expectations are almost inexhaustible, but primarily include in no particular order in terms of importance – inclusiveness and participation in governance, human development and security.

To quote Muhammadu Buhari again, “This is a moment that we must begin to heal the wounds and work toward a better future.” The North Central zone and the country at large will hang on to every word and action of the administration and the incoming President in particular, in meeting their expectations.

The contributions of the North Central zone towards ushering in change, bears the expectations of commensurate political patronage in terms of projects and appointments as a reward for their huge political investments. The contributions of states like Benue, Kogi and Plateau in particular that have long been considered PDP strongholds will expect to be met with inclusiveness and participation in the administration of Muhammadu Buhari.

The North Central will expect the Buhari administration to address the strong feelings of exclusion that have been felt in the zone under President Goodluck Jonathan and engender a feeling of inclusiveness as part of not only the North but as equal stakeholders in the Nigerian project.

Citizens in North Central Nigeria will also expect the administration of Muhammadu Buhari and the newly elected governors to focus on the development of human capital and tap into the resources in the zone. There is an even greater burden of expectation on the incoming administration to work with governors in Plateau, Benue and Kogi state which owe workers salaries, resolve the labour disputes, strengthen the civil service as well as tap into the tourism, agricultural and mineral resource potentials that are abundant in the zone.

There are still fears in terms of religious and ethnic discrimination in the North Central, which have only been further heightened by the conflicts and insecurity in the zone.

While the Boko Haram insurgency has not caused as much direct damage in the zone, conflicts between farmers and herdsmen (Fulani pastoralists) have ravaged and destroyed hundreds of communities, killing thousands of people and displacing them from their homelands. Considering that Muhammadu Buhari, who is a Fulani, will lead the incoming administration has increased the fears of ethnic minorities that these conflicts will escalate and neither will they receive the attention of the Buhari administration.

The Buhari administration must take strong and bold steps to protect the lives and property of the citizens in the North Central and provide immediate relief for communities that have been displaced as well as support for communities that are catering to the needs of citizens that have been displaced from North East Nigeria as well.

Closely connected to the effects of the conflicts and insecurity in the region is the drop in levels of agricultural production in the North Central.

Agriculture, which had hitherto been the mainstay of the North Central and a major source of economic stability, has been disrupted thereby laying the foundation for food insecurity in the country at large.

The expectations of the North Central must be met as it continues to be the glue that holds the Northern and the Southern parts of the country together.

The zone will also expect the administration to consolidate its position as a fast developing economic hub by opening up viable corridors and creating a conducive environment for economic activities. Basic infrastructure such as inland ports, railways and roads are important for the development of the zone as it facilitates trade with the other zones across the country.

However, time and space would not allow for an analysis of more generic expectations such as curbing corruption, infrastructural development, reducing poverty, improving education and increasing power supply which many people across the country expect the administration to change with one magical wave of hand.

As Muhammadu Buhari takes the oath of office of President, he will solemnly swear to be faithful and bear true allegiance to the Federal Republic of Nigeria… and that as President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, he will do right to all manner of people, according to law, without fear or favour, affection or ill-will.

The citizens of Nigeria and the North Central zone expect nothing less.

So help him God.

(You can read all the other brilliant pieces in The ScoopNG’s #14DaysOfChange series HERE.)

– Follow this writer on Twitter: @IbrhmFaruk

Ibrahim Faruk

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What the North Central will expect of a Buhari Presidency – Ibrahim Faruk