Presidency Defends Tinubu Government After Kwankwaso Accusations

The Presidency has responded to Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso’s recent claim that President Bola Tinubu’s administration is ignoring Northern Nigeria in its development agenda.

The rebuttal followed comments made by the former Kano governor at a public event in Kano, where he alleged that the federal government was favouring the South while the North battled poverty, insecurity, and decaying infrastructure.

Kwankwaso had spoken at a stakeholders’ dialogue on the 2025 constitutional review process, where he described the situation in the North as worsening. He also criticised the state of federal roads in the region, sharing a personal experience of a difficult journey from Abuja to Kano due to a cancelled flight and bad road conditions. He said the poor infrastructure he witnessed reflected a deeper neglect of the region.

Responding through his media adviser, Sunday Dare, the Presidency firmly denied the allegations. In a statement shared online, Dare maintained that the North is not being left out and pointed to numerous projects the federal government is undertaking across northern states. He said the administration is committed to balanced development across all regions.

The Presidency listed infrastructure and energy projects as proof of its commitment. Among them are the ongoing reconstruction of the Abuja–Kaduna–Kano Expressway, the Sokoto–Badagry Super Highway, and the Ajaokuta–Kaduna–Kano Gas Pipeline. The statement also highlighted new solar energy projects and the Gwagwalada Power Plant as key developments aimed at improving electricity supply in the North.

In the health sector, the government mentioned upgrades to major institutions including the teaching hospitals in Zaria and Jos, as well as the Federal Medical Centre in Nguru. It also said that around 1,000 primary health centres in northern communities are being revitalised to improve basic healthcare access.

Roads remain a major focus of the Tinubu government, according to the statement. Some of the listed projects include the Kano–Kongolam Road, the Kaduna–Jos Road, and the Kano–Maiduguri highway. The administration also referenced works being done in Borno and Adamawa to improve transportation links in areas hit hard by insecurity.

Agriculture and environmental projects were also cited. The Presidency mentioned the $158 million Agriculture Value Chain programme ongoing in nine northern states and the Kolmani Integrated Development Project in Bauchi and Gombe. It added that the ACReSAL initiative is restoring degraded land across the semi-arid North, targeting one million hectares for renewal.

Rail transport was another key area mentioned in the government’s response. The Kaduna–Kano and Kano–Maradi rail lines are both in development, along with plans to revive the Abuja Metro system to improve urban mobility.

The Presidency concluded that the North remains an essential part of the government’s agenda and that no region is being excluded from national development. It said that the administration is focused on practical progress, not political narratives, and urged critics to engage with facts rather than emotion.