By Sani Idris Abdulrahman

A coalition of Northern youth groups, civil society organisations and regional stakeholders has called for the dissolution of the Governing Board of the North West Development Commission (NWDC) over alleged financial misappropriation and governance failures.

The coalition also urged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to investigate the commission’s leadership over allegations arising from the Senate Committee on Regional Development’s investigative hearing.

The demands were contained in a statement issued and signed by the coalition’s Co-convener, Aminu Haruna Maipampo, on Monday in Kaduna 

According to the statement, the coalition alleged that out of N1.19 billion spent by the commission since its establishment, N943 million, representing nearly 79 per cent, was paid as allowances to members of the governing board.

It alleged that the expenditure occurred while the commission reportedly failed to implement capital projects, delayed staff recruitment and neglected its mandate of addressing poverty, infrastructure deficits and insecurity in the North-West.

The coalition further alleged that the commission had been preoccupied with internal disputes over office accommodation and the location of its alternative headquarters.

It also claimed that the commission had continued to operate without a complete management structure, including the appointment of Executive Directors, since its inauguration in February 2025.

Maipampo described the alleged spending as unacceptable, saying the commission was established to drive development and improve the welfare of people in the region.

“It is an insult to the suffering people of the North-West that a commission created to bring development and relief has instead become a cash cow for elite board members.

 “For a governing board to consume nearly 80 per cent of its total expenditure on personal sitting allowances while zero capital projects have been executed is criminal. We will not sit by while our future is looted,” he said.

The coalition called on President Bola Tinubu to immediately dissolve the governing board, alleging administrative incompetence, abuse of public trust and failure to deliver on its statutory mandate.

It also urged the EFCC and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to investigate the allegations and prosecute any individual found culpable where evidence established criminal wrongdoing.

The coalition further appealed to the Presidency to appoint qualified Executive Directors and fully restructure the commission to restore public confidence and improve service delivery.

It said it would stage a peaceful mass walk in Kano on July 22, beginning at 8:00 a.m., with the take-off point to be communicated later.

The coalition called on residents, traders, students and other stakeholders across Kano and the North-West to participate in the demonstration, saying resources meant for regional development should be used to improve the lives of the people.