No Progress Without Merit! – Na’Allah Slams Leadership Selection in the North

Former federal lawmaker and respected Northern elder, Senator Bala Ibn Na’Allah, has cautioned Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani, against making sweeping political statements driven by self-interest.

Reacting to Governor Sani’s recent remarks—where he claimed that any northerner who held public office in the past two decades owed the region an apology—Na’Allah pushed back, insisting that such generalizations are unfair and politically motivated.

In a statement issued Wednesday in Abuja, the two-time Senator from Kebbi South rejected the notion of a blanket apology, stressing that he served his constituents and the region with integrity and dedication.

“I have been privileged to serve as a two-term member of both the House of Representatives and the Senate. Throughout my tenure, I served Nigeria, and particularly the North, with sincerity, transparency, and a commitment to inclusive development,” he said.

Na’Allah emphasized that he has no reason to apologize, having given his all in service to the nation.
“I do not believe I owe anyone an apology. I gave my best and stood firm in my responsibilities to the North and my country,” he added.

He challenged Governor Sani to be specific about whom he believes should apologize and for what particular failures, rather than making vague political statements.

“If Governor Uba Sani thinks an apology is warranted, I urge him to clearly identify who should apologize and the actions that merit such contrition,” Na’Allah stated.

He concluded by warning that the North’s continued decline is tied to its failure to prioritize merit in leadership selections:
“Until we begin to choose leaders based on competence and merit, the region’s challenges will persist and worsen,” he warned.