Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani has declared President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as the first Nigerian leader to offer true and direct support to sub-national governments, especially in the wake of economic hardship triggered by fuel subsidy removal.
Speaking in an interview with ARISE News on Thursday, Sani said Tinubu’s interventions ranging from infrastructure support to economic assistance have gone beyond statutory obligations.
“In the history of Nigeria, no president has supported sub-nationals like President Tinubu. I am unapologetic I stand by my statement,” Sani said.
Responding to critics who argue that the so-called interventions are simply part of federal revenue sharing, Sani drew a sharp line between what states are legally entitled to and what Tinubu has done voluntarily. “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,” he said.
Sani recalled how Tinubu responded when Kaduna needed help modernising its transportation system, “I approached him when we needed to buy CNG buses. He supported us. That’s leadership. That’s why I praised him, and I will continue to praise him.”
The governor also referenced the recent high-level Northern political gathering held in Kaduna under the legacy of Sir Ahmadu Bello. At the event, influential figures including former Niger State Governor Aliyu Babangida assessed Tinubu’s performance over the past two years.
Sani revealed that the forum has moved beyond rhetoric, with implementation committees already being formed.
“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,” he urged.
He also acknowledged Tinubu’s imperfections but praised him for making bold decisions previous leaders avoided. “He’s not a perfect man, but Tinubu is the only one who dared touch petroleum. ‘Subsidy is gone’ those words were courageous. Others didn’t have the guts,” Sani stated.
To critics who say governors shouldn’t thank the president for spending what belongs to the people, Sani had a blunt reply, “People making noise are not governors. When I speak, I speak as a governor. Let each man speak for himself.”
He argued that Nigeria’s current challenges especially in the North are rooted in years of systemic neglect, not Tinubu’s policies.
“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,” he said.
“Of course, we expect him to intervene. But people must understand he didn’t create the problem.”
Sani used the opportunity to outline his own initiatives in Kaduna, especially his support for victims of banditry 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,” he said.
“You can build all the roads in the world, but if people live without dignity, the government has failed.”
He added that his administration is distributing 300 trucks of fertilizer to 100,000 smallholder farmers for free, saying food security is non-negotiable.
“Hunger is criminal. It must not be tolerated,” Sani said.
Sani also delivered a strong message to the northern elite, warning against wasteful spending on symbolic projects.
“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 revealed ongoing talks with major business figures like Aliko Dangote and AA Rano to set up industrial ventures across the region.
“In India, one local government can have 50 industries. Why can’t we do that in northern Nigeria?” he asked.
Drawing on the legacy of Sir Ahmadu Bello, Sani urged the North to transcend religious and ethnic divides.
“Sardauna believed in oneness. He never divided us. This new generation must stop tribalism and get back to building institutions not empires,” he said.
In a wide-ranging, emotionally charged interview, Governor Uba Sani portrayed Tinubu as a bold reformer deserving of credit, while calling on fellow governors to lead with vision and courage. “Governance is not about blame it’s about solutions. And we, the governors, must lead the charge,”he concluded.
Erizia Rubyjeana
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