Kaduna State Governor, Senator Uba Sani, has issued a sharp rebuke to an unnamed Northern presidential aspirant seeking to challenge President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the 2027 general elections, declaring that the contender lacks the track record required to justify his ambition.
Speaking on Saturday during the flag-off of the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential campaign in Kaduna, Sani emphasized that Northern voters will not be swayed by regional sentiment alone, insisting that leadership must be evaluated on demonstrable achievements and commitment to the region’s development.
Addressing party leaders and supporters in Kaduna—which he described as the political and spiritual capital of Northern Nigeria—Governor Sani challenged the opposition candidate to present concrete evidence of his past public sector contributions, particularly regarding infrastructure.
”When someone came to us and said we should vote for him simply because he’s a Northerner, we asked him: can you show us a track record?” Sani told the crowd.
Drawing a direct contrast, Sani highlighted the achievements of Vice President Kashim Shettima, pointing to the construction of over 1,000 kilometers of road infrastructure in the North-East during his tenure. He challenged the unnamed presidential hopeful to prove if he had delivered even 200 kilometers of road under his watch.
Sani framed the upcoming 2027 contest as a test of continuity, arguing that President Tinubu has fulfilled key promises across Northern Nigeria, particularly in security and infrastructure:
Recalling a December 2022 campaign visit where Tinubu defied security warnings to visit Birnin Gwari—then an epicenter of banditry—Sani confirmed that the administration released ₦100 billion toward the ongoing reconstruction of the 123-kilometer road, which had been abandoned for over 40 years.
Security along the Birnin Gwari corridor has stabilized significantly, allowing unescorted travel. Sani added that over 300 primary schools and 150 primary healthcare centers previously shut down due to insecurity have fully reopened.
Sani noted that 95 percent of the strategic highway’s reconstruction is complete following a ₦140 billion federal commitment.
A $865 million approval for Kaduna State’s pilot 50-kilometer Metropolitan Red Line rail project, with $300 million already mobilized by contractors.
Contractors have been mobilized for the reconstruction of the strategic Zaria–Soba–Funtua Road.
Beyond physical infrastructure, Sani highlighted the administration’s human capital and socio-economic interventions across the North-West:
Student Loans (NELFUND): Disbursed ₦84 billion to support approximately 414,000 students from low-income and underserved backgrounds across the North-West region.
Skills Acquisition: Expanded access to Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) programs, providing local artisans with practical training, institutional allowances, and stipend support.
Agricultural Transformation: Unprecedented subsidies, data-driven support, and policy interventions for Northern farmers, who form the backbone of the region’s economy.
Dismissing Opposition Tactics
Governor Sani also criticized opposition political parties, accusing them of relying on digital narratives rather than genuine political mobilization on the ground.
”The opposition have now upgraded their campaign from Facebook and Twitter to AI,” Sani claimed. “So I want to call the attention of our supporters to prepare, to be vigilant. The opposition have only been campaigning with AI. No real campaign.”
Sani concluded by assuring President Tinubu, First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu, and Vice President Shettima that Northern voters would reciprocate the administration’s investments by turning out massively at the polls to secure continuity in 2027.
