Presidency Refutes Kwankwaso’s Claim, Says North Not Neglected Under Tinubu

The Presidency has rejected claims made by Rabiu Kwankwaso, the former presidential candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), that President Bola Tinubu’s administration has sidelined the North.

Kwankwaso, while speaking at a stakeholders’ dialogue on the 2025 constitutional review in Kano on Thursday, said national resources were being unfairly concentrated in the South, worsening poverty and insecurity in the North.

He also criticized the poor state of federal roads, recalling a recent trip he had to take by road after his flight was cancelled, calling the journey a nightmare due to bad road conditions.

Responding in a post on his X page on Friday, Sunday Dare, President Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Media and Public Communication, dismissed Kwankwaso’s claims, saying they were misleading.

“The claim that Northern Nigeria has been left behind is incorrect. The Tinubu administration has initiated and continued several landmark projects in the North, covering roads, agriculture, healthcare, and energy,” Dare said.

The presidential aide outlined major infrastructure, health, energy, and agricultural projects being implemented across Northern states to buttress the government’s commitment.

He listed several ongoing projects to back his point, including the Abuja–Kaduna–Kano Expressway, the Sokoto–Badagry Super Highway, and the Ajaokuta–Kaduna–Kano Gas Pipeline.

Dare also pointed to a $158.15 million Agriculture Value Chain project across nine northern states and the Kolmani Integrated Development Project in Bauchi and Gombe.

He revealed that the Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL) project aimed at restoring one million hectares of degraded land in semi-arid regions.

In the healthcare sector, he cited expansions and investments in facilities such as Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital in Zaria, University of Jos Teaching Hospital, and Federal Medical Centre, Nguru.

The presidential aide also said nearly 1,000 primary health centres in the North are being revitalized.

For roads, he shared major upgrades and constructions including the Kano–Kongolam Road, Kaduna–Jos Road, and Kano–Maiduguri Dual Carriageway, along with road repairs in Borno and Adamawa.

On the energy front, Dare highlighted the 614 km Ajaokuta–Kaduna–Kano Gas Pipeline, the Gwagwalada Power Plant, and upcoming solar power projects in Kaduna.

He also noted ongoing rail developments like the Kaduna–Kano Rail Line, Kano–Maradi Rail Line, and the rehabilitation of the Abuja Metro.

“Northern Nigeria is not left behind. From road networks to gas pipelines, agriculture, health, and rail, this administration has the North well covered,” he stressed.

KanyiDaily recalla that President Bola Tinubu recently approved the necessary licences for the Kolmani Integrated Development Project, a major oil exploration initiative between Bauchi and Gombe states.