Mahadi Shehu, a prominent public affairs analyst, has called on Northern leaders to apologize to former President Goodluck Jonathan for the treatment he received while in office. In a video posted by African Independent Television (AIT), Shehu praised Jonathan for his efforts to rehabilitate the Almajiri children by dedicating federal resources to build schools for them.
“Goodluck Jonathan dedicated federal resources meant for the nation to rehabilitate these Almajiris,” Shehu stated, highlighting the former president’s commitment to improving the lives of disadvantaged children in the North.
However, Shehu lamented that the structures created for the Almajiris had been abandoned and left to deteriorate after Jonathan left office. “Soon after he left, we know how the structures are now,” he added.
Shehu also criticized those who had criticized Jonathan during his presidency, urging them to issue a public apology. “All those Nigerians who abused and cast aspersions, including myself, on Jonathan during his own regime need to apologize to him openly,” he said.
Shehu warned that neglecting the Almajiris could have long-term negative consequences. “While politicians use them for political reasons, they don’t look at the other side of the consequences—creating more ‘Boko Haram’ and more armed robbers out of them,” he explained.
He cautioned that the Almajiris, having been deprived of essential resources, could eventually seek revenge. “These young men, who have been denied all the essence of life, will one day emerge to identify their enemies—not far enemies, but people close to them,” Shehu said. “And they will take revenge.”
