As we approach the 2027 election, some people, especially from the opposition, are spreading propaganda that the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is sidelining the North in the areas of infrastructure and development.
If one cross-checks and conducts independent research, it will reveal that the opposition is lying. Surprisingly, the North is receiving more infrastructure compared to the South!
President Tinubu’s administration is distributing the dividends of democracy to all parts of the country.
During a courtesy visit by Engr. Rabiu Suleiman Bichi, MD of Hadejia Jama’are River Basin Development Authority, Kano, to the Governors of Bauchi and Jigawa States, he enumerated projects approved by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in those states under his agency. Bichi explained that Dutse, the capital of Jigawa State, after suffering for 26 years without potable drinking water, is now benefiting from President Tinubu’s approval of N60 billion for the Greater Dutse Water Supply Scheme. So far, more than N15 billion has been released for the ongoing work.
Furthermore, under the Hadejia Jama’are River Basin Development Authority, Kano, there are projects worth about N98 billion for the rehabilitation and repairs of Tiga Dam, Challawa Gorge Dam, Kalala Dam, Kafin Zaki Dam, Kafin Ciri Irrigation Project, repairs and maintenance of Hadejia Barrage, creation of 6,500 hectares for irrigation, and many other projects spread across Kano, Jigawa, and Bauchi States.
If more government officials would inform the public about President Tinubu’s projects under their ministries and agencies, the opposition would not easily mislead the people.
There are many new and ongoing projects under President Tinubu’s administration. Among these in Northern Nigeria are:
1. Sokoto–Badagry Highway linking Northern and Southern regions through Sokoto, Kebbi, Niger, and Kwara States – a 1,068 km project.
2. Sokoto–Zamfara–Katsina–Kaduna dual carriageway – 375 km.
3. Ongoing Ajaokuta–Abuja–Kaduna–Kano (AKK) Gas Pipeline.
4. Ongoing Kano–Kaduna Rail Line project.
5. Ongoing construction of Lafia Bypass in Nasarawa State.
6. Construction of thousands of houses in Sokoto, Kebbi, Katsina, Zamfara, Kaduna, Niger, Benue, and Kano States.
7. Ongoing construction of Abuja–Kaduna–Kano Expressway.
8. Ongoing construction of Eastern Bypass in Kano State.
9. Maiduguri–Monguno Road.
10. Cham–Numan Road (Gombe–Yola).
11. 9th Mile–Oturkpo–Makurdi Road.
12. Ongoing construction of Abuja–Lokoja Highway.
13. Ongoing 439 km Akwanga–Jos–Bauchi–Gombe Road.
14. Ongoing Kano–Katsina Road.
15. Kano Light Railway project.
16. Construction of bus terminals in Kano, Lokoja, and Gombe.
17. Establishment of Development Commissions for the Northwest and North Central.
18. Dualization of Bauchi–Gombe Road.
19. About 135 roads constructed or reconstructed in the FCT.
20. Greater Abuja Water Supply Project.
21. Greater Dutse Water Supply Scheme.
22. Ongoing construction of 456 km Trans-Sahara Road.
23. Ongoing construction of Gwagwalada Independent Power Plant to generate 1,350 megawatts.
24. Ongoing Kano–Dutse–Maradi Rail Line project.
25. Ecological protection projects in 16 Local Government Areas of Kano State.
The above are just some of the projects approved by President Tinubu’s administration across Northern Nigeria. These projects will lead to the development of the region in all aspects.
The North is indeed fortunate to have President Tinubu as leader of Nigeria. Unlike many politicians, he continues projects that were not initiated by him.
To counter the opposition’s attempts to mislead the public, the government should engage vocal politicians like Hon. Musa Iliyasu Kwankwaso to enlighten the people. Likewise, the office of Malam Abbas Tijjani Hashim, the President’s Senior Special Assistant on Chieftaincy Matters, should work closely with traditional rulers from the grassroots to the top in creating awareness about ongoing projects by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu across the North.
As the North continues to benefit from the dividends of democracy under Tinubu’s administration, it should reciprocate by massively voting for him again in the 2027 presidential election.
Amb. Shehu Mustapha Chaji. Writes from Kano.