Abdulmumin Jibrin, a member of the House of Representatives representing Kiru/Bebeji Federal Constituency in Kano State, has declared that the North held power for 39 and a half years, while the South had it for 28 years.
Jibrin further said it is an insult to former northern heads of state and presidents to claim that Nigeria started from 1999.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Wednesday, Jibrin insisted that Nigeria began in 1960, and that any reckoning should start from that point.
He said: “The North has had power for 39 and half years, the South has 28 years. Nigeria started from independence in 1960.
“You can’t count power from 1999; whoever you are, I can look at you and say it’s unfair and you know the danger in it. It’s an insult to the former head of states when a northerner goes on national television and says Nigeria started from 1999.
“Gowon was Head of State for nine years, Shagari was president for four years; you didn’t include Shagari; Buhari two years, Babangida did eight years, Abacha five years, you have Yar’Adua three years, and you have Buhari eight years.
“Do we recognise Babangida as a former president? Yes, we do. Do we recognise Abacha as a former Head of State? Yes, we do. Do we recognise Buhari as a former Head of State, [and] later a former president? Yes, we do.
“That has never been in contention in this country. I don’t think it’s a very good line of argument to place it upon.”
