The presidency has dismissed claims made by Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso, the 2023 presidential candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), that President Bola Tinubu’s administration is neglecting Northern Nigeria.
In a statement issued on Friday, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communication, Sunday Dare, rejected the allegations, stating that significant projects are currently underway across the northern region.
“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.
He provided details of key infrastructure and development projects, including the Abuja–Kaduna–Kano Expressway, the Sokoto–Badagry Super Highway, and the Ajaokuta–Kaduna–Kano Gas Pipeline.
The presidential aide also referenced a $158.15 million agriculture value chain initiative being implemented in nine northern states, alongside the Kolmani Integrated Development Project, which spans Bauchi and Gombe.
Other programmes highlighted in the statement include the Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL), aimed at restoring one million hectares of degraded land in the North.
In the health sector, Dare cited expansions and investments at institutions such as Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital in Zaria, University of Jos Teaching Hospital, and Federal Medical Centre in Nguru. He added that approximately 1,000 primary healthcare centres across the North are being revitalised.
On transportation, he mentioned major road upgrades like the Kano–Kongolam Road, Kaduna–Jos Road, the Kano–Maiduguri Dual Carriageway, and other rehabilitation efforts in Borno and Adamawa.
Energy projects, according to the statement, include the 614 km Ajaokuta–Kaduna–Kano Gas Pipeline, the Gwagwalada Power Plant, and planned solar installations in Kaduna. Ongoing rail developments such as the Kaduna–Kano Rail Line, the Kano–Maradi Rail Line, and Abuja Metro repairs were also cited.
“Northern Nigeria is not left behind. From road networks to gas pipelines, agriculture, health, and rail, this administration has the North well covered,” Dare added.
Kwankwaso accuses Tinubu of neglecting North
The response came after Kwankwaso, speaking at a constitutional dialogue in Kano on Thursday, accused the Tinubu administration of marginalising the North while prioritising development in the South. He voiced frustration over deteriorating infrastructure, particularly federal roads in the North, recalling a recent experience where he had to travel by road from Abuja to Kano via Kaduna due to a cancelled flight. He described the journey as “hell” because of the poor road conditions.
Kwankwaso also warned that the perceived imbalance in resource allocation was contributing to worsening poverty and insecurity across Northern Nigeria.
