Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani has restated his unflinching support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, describing him as the first Nigerian president to show “unprecedented support for sub-nationals” especially through infrastructure interventions following fuel subsidy removal.
Sani in an interview ARISE NEWS on Thursday, emphasised, Yes, I’m going to praise him again today, “In the history of Nigeria, no president has supported sub-nationals like President Tinubu. I am unapologetic I stand by my statement.”
Sani addressed critics who claim the so-called presidential interventions are simply part of Nigeria’s regular revenue-sharing structure. He disagreed sharply, saying, “This is not allocation this is intervention. Allocation is what comes to us by law, every month. But what Mr. President did, what he has been doing, is intervention. I approached him when we needed to fix transportation issues in Kaduna. I told him we needed to buy CNG buses and he supported us. That’s leadership. That’s why I praised him, and I will continue to praise him.”
Sani also spoke about the recent political forum held in Kaduna organised under the legacy of Sir Ahmadu Bello where influential figures from Northern Nigeria assessed Tinubu’s first two years. He noted that Northern leaders, including Aliyu Babangida, are forming implementation committees based on resolutions reached at the event. “I told them, let’s not end this in rhetoric. We need action. Kaduna must lead this change, and the entire North must follow with unity, not division.”
Sani admitted Tinubu has made mistakes “He’s not a perfect man” but praised him for making bold decisions that past leaders avoided. “Tinubu is the only one who dared touch petroleum. ‘Subsidy is gone’ those words were courageous. Others didn’t have the guts,” he said.
He dismissed critics who argue that governors should not thank the president for money that belongs to the people. “People making noise are not governors. When I speak, I speak as a governor. Let each man speak for himself.”
Touching on the North’s staggering developmental gaps, Sani highlighted the root causes of suffering in the region blaming long-term neglect rather than Tinubu’s two years.
“Our suffering didn’t start two years ago. In 2023, we had 18 million out-of-school children. Eighty percent were in the North. Let no one come now and blame Tinubu for that.”
Still, he acknowledged the president must act, “Of course, we expect him to intervene. But people must understand, he didn’t create the problem.”
Reflecting on his personal initiatives in Kaduna to support victims of insurgency and displacement. “I gave houses to victims of banditry not because I had excess money, but because it’s about humanity. Government must protect the dignity of its people. You can build all the roads in the world, but if people live without dignity, the government has failed.
Governance Is About Dignity, Not Roads
In a passionate moment.”
When reminded of the World Food Programme’s warning that 1.3 million people in Borno State may lose food aid due to US funding cuts, Sani called for federal and state-level urgency but emphasised state governors must lead.
“We will distribute 300 trucks of fertilizer to 100,000 smallholder farmers in Kaduna for free. Because food security is paramount. Hunger is criminal. It must not be tolerated.”
He also criticised the Northern elite’s priorities, urging them to channel resources into education and healthcare, not ceremonial donations.
“Enough of calling billionaires to donate for book launches or build billion-naira mosques and churches. Let’s build schools. Let’s create skill-based education. That is the only way.”
He said he’s already in talks with business leaders like Aliyu Dangote and AA Rano to create a new investment platform.
“In India, one local government can have 50 industries. Why can’t we do that in northern Nigeria?”
Reflecting on the legacy of Sir Ahmadu Bello, Sani called for northern unity beyond ethnicity and religion.
“Sardauna believed in oneness. He never divided us. This new generation must stop tribalism and get back to building institutions not empires.”
In a wide-ranging interview marked by blunt honesty and emotional appeal, Governor Uba Sani laid out a vision for governance grounded in facts, humanity, and shared responsibility and made clear that while he supports President Tinubu, he believes governors must do more than wait for Abuja.
“Governance is not about blame it’s about solutions. And we, the governors, must lead the charge.”
Erizia Rubyjeana
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