The Presidency has rejected claims made by 2023 NNPP presidential candidate, Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso, that the North has been sidelined under President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
Kwankwaso, speaking at a constitutional review dialogue in Kano on Thursday, alleged that federal resources were increasingly favoring the South, worsening poverty and insecurity in the North. He also criticized the poor state of federal roads, recounting a recent road trip from Abuja to Kano via Kaduna, which he described as a “hellish” experience due to deplorable road conditions.
In response, Presidential Adviser on Media and Public Communication, Sunday Dare, dismissed the accusations in a post on his X handle Friday, insisting the North is far from neglected.
“The claim that Northern Nigeria has been left behind is incorrect,” Dare said. “The Tinubu administration has initiated and sustained major development projects across the region—in roads, agriculture, healthcare, and energy.”
He cited several key projects, including:
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Infrastructure: Abuja–Kaduna–Kano Expressway, Sokoto–Badagry Super Highway, Kano–Kongolam Road, Kano–Maiduguri Dual Carriageway, and road rehabilitations in Borno and Adamawa.
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Energy: Ajaokuta–Kaduna–Kano Gas Pipeline (614 km), Gwagwalada Power Plant, and solar projects in Kaduna.
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Rail: Kaduna–Kano Rail Line, Kano–Maradi Rail Line, and the Abuja Metro rehabilitation.
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Healthcare: Upgrades to Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital (Zaria), University of Jos Teaching Hospital, FMC Nguru, and revitalization of 1,000 primary health centres.
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Agriculture: $158.15 million Agricultural Value Chain programme across nine northern states, Kolmani Integrated Development Project (Bauchi/Gombe), and the ACReSAL land restoration project.
Dare emphasized that these developments show the North is a priority under Tinubu. “From road networks to gas pipelines, agriculture, health, and rail, this administration has the North well covered,” he said.