Kaduna State Governor, Senator Uba Sani, has stated unequivocally that the challenges plaguing Northern Nigeria are largely the result of internal mismanagement and not the fault of President Bola Tinubu. In a recent interview aired on Arise News and monitored in Abuja, the governor emphasized that blaming the current administration for the North’s marginalization is a diversion from self-accountability.
Insights from the Kaduna Public Engagement Forum
Governor Sani described the Kaduna event as a long-overdue platform for internal reflection within the North. He noted that six months earlier, the same foundation held a similar gathering in Abuja, which drew sharp criticism from him and other stakeholders for failing to foster constructive dialogue.
According to him, the Northern region must stop pointing fingers outward and instead confront its shared challenges with a united approach.
“We can’t sit around blaming others, especially those outside our region. That includes President Tinubu. If the North wants real change, it must start by taking full responsibility,” he said.
Examining the Claims of Marginalization
- Minister of Agriculture: From the North
- Minister of State for Agriculture: From the North
- Minister of Livestock: From the North
- Minister of Health: From Bauchi State
- National Security Adviser: From the North
- Minister of Defence and State Minister of Defence: From the North
- Chief of Defence Staff and Chief of Air Staff: From the North
In the context of agricultural development, the governor revealed that Kaduna now allocates 12% of its budget to agriculture, surpassing the 10% benchmark set by the 2014 Malabo Declaration.
This feat, he said, was made possible because key policymakers in agriculture are from the region, proving that the North is not excluded but is instead positioned for transformation—if it seizes the opportunity.
Kaduna’s Success in Restoring Peace and Security
Governor Sani provided a detailed account of how his administration brought relative peace to a once conflict-ridden Kaduna State. Upon taking office, Kaduna was plagued by insurgency, banditry, and ethnic-religious clashes. Yet, under his leadership:
- Ethno-religious crises have been eliminated for over two years.
- There have been zero farmer-herder conflicts within the same period.
- Communities previously divided along ethnic lines are now cohabiting peacefully.
“We didn’t wait for President Tinubu to come and teach us how to govern. We embraced inclusivity and justice at the grassroots level,” he explained.
He said the success was rooted in equitable distribution of resources and an unwavering commitment to governance over politics. Despite initial electoral support from Northern Kaduna, his administration has embarked on widespread infrastructure development across the state, regardless of religion or ethnicity.
Revisiting the Origin of Northern Insecurity
Governor Sani offered historical context, recalling how insecurity began to escalate in 2015, worsened by 2021, under a previous APC administration. Before becoming governor, he chaired the Senate Committee on Banking and was the sponsor of the State Police bill.
He expressed disappointment that the Firearms Act, which is over two decades outdated, remains a significant obstacle to tackling insecurity.
“The Nigerian military and police combined still have fewer than 700,000 personnel—insufficient for securing a country with massive ungoverned spaces,” he warned.
He also noted that 70% of the 200–250 million illegal firearms circulating in sub-Saharan Africa are found in Nigeria, largely due to weak institutions and outdated laws.
Tangible Progress Amid Challenges
Providing concrete examples, the governor stated that:
- Over 162 abandoned schools have reopened.
- Nearly 192 primary health centers have resumed operation.
- Farmers have returned to over 500,000 hectares of previously deserted farmland.
- Areas like Birnin Gwari, once accessible only with military escort, are now safe for regular travel.
“Birnin Gwari is now secure. Farmers are back on their land, and trade has resumed. That’s what progress looks like,” he said confidently.
Kaduna’s Distinct Approach to Security
While acknowledging that other Northern states face security threats, Governor Sani asserted that Kaduna’s situation was particularly severe. Unlike the ideological battle with Boko Haram in the North East, he described Kaduna’s crisis as economically driven.
This, he said, prompted a dual strategy combining both military force (kinetic) and social reintegration (non-kinetic) methods. Contrary to claims, his administration never paid off bandits but instead invested in rebuilding homes for displaced victims.
“I gave homes to victims, not a naira to bandits. That’s justice,” he stressed.
Conclusion: It’s Time for Northern Self-Reflection
Governor Uba Sani’s message was clear: the North must stop externalizing blame and begin addressing its structural issues internally. With the right leadership approach, as seen in Kaduna, lasting development and security are achievable.
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