Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State has delivered a stinging rebuke to prominent northern political figures, accusing them of hypocrisy and failure in addressing the deep-rooted challenges facing the region. According to Sani, the persistent issues of insecurity, poverty, and educational decline were not created by President Bola Tinubu, but were allowed to fester for over 20 years under the watch of past northern leaders.
Speaking during a two-day citizen engagement summit organized by the Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Foundation in Kaduna, Governor Sani emphasized the need for honest self-reflection and regional accountability.
“This can’t be just another round of ceremonial speeches. We need to admit our failures as northern leaders. The blame game must stop,” he said to a room filled with federal ministers, traditional rulers, civil society leaders, and policymakers.
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Sani acknowledged that President Tinubu made several commitments to the North — on security, education, agriculture, and financial inclusion — and has begun delivering on them. But he challenged his peers in the region:
“The real question is: have we, as northern leaders, kept faith with our people?”
“Selective Amnesia Won’t Solve Our Problems”
The governor criticized the tendency of some northern elites to conveniently forget how the region deteriorated during their tenure, only to now fault the current administration after two years in office.
“Where were these loud voices when insecurity crippled our villages, when children dropped out of school in millions, when poverty became the norm? It is disingenuous to now pin decades of decay on one government,” he said.
He called for an end to dependency on the federal government, stating bluntly that the North must take charge of its own future.
“No president, no matter how committed, can fix the North alone. Solutions must come from within — from governors, traditional institutions, community leaders, and the people themselves.”
Kaduna’s “Peace Model” and Early Wins
Reflecting on the dire situation he inherited in 2023, Sani described Kaduna as “almost overrun” by terrorists and bandits, with the Abuja-Kaduna highway seen as a national danger zone.
His administration responded by launching the Kaduna Peace Model — a multi-layered approach combining military operations, community policing, dialogue with stakeholders, and institutional reforms.
“A year ago, this hall would have been empty out of fear. Today, communities are returning to life, and displaced families are slowly coming back home,” he noted.
Financial Inclusion as Economic Rescue
Sani also highlighted efforts to combat what he called a “silent crisis” — the exclusion of millions of Northerners from the formal financial system.
“When I assumed office, over 65% of the Northwest’s population had no access to banking or credit. That’s not just an economic issue; it’s a dignity issue,” he said.
Through executive orders and partnerships with banks, fintech firms, and civil society, the state has begun enrolling 2.5 million vulnerable residents into financial services.
Acknowledging Tinubu’s Support for the North
Governor Sani credited President Tinubu with rolling out transformative programmes that are already making an impact across the region, especially in education and agriculture.
He praised initiatives like the student loan scheme and vocational training programs that equip young Northerners with real-world skills. On agriculture, he noted improvements in input supply, irrigation support, and market access, calling it “unmatched in Nigerian history.”
“No other president has backed subnational governments in agricultural development like President Tinubu is doing right now.”
A Call for Unity, Not Division
The governor concluded his remarks by urging fellow northern leaders to rise above politics and unite around development.
“This is the first time in years that we’ve seen such a strong federal presence in a regional dialogue — ministers, security chiefs, policymakers all in one hall. That means the North matters to this government. Let’s not waste this moment.”
“We have no more excuses. The North must move from blame to bold action. Let us get to work.”
