2027: Kaduna Gov Sani Questions Opposition Over Road Projects

Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani, has challenged an unnamed opposition presidential candidate from northern Nigeria to identify roads he constructed during his tenure as vice president.

Sani made the challenge on Saturday at the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential campaign rally at the Kaduna Township Stadium, where President Bola Tinubu officially flagged off his re-election campaign ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

The governor questioned the track record of the opposition candidate, insisting that he had yet to demonstrate tangible achievements in road construction, particularly in the North-East.

“We asked him, can you show us a track record? Until this moment, the so-called northern candidate have not shown us his track record, Mr. President. No track record. And we keep asking.

“And I dare say that even Mr. Vice President sitting there, I was talking to him at the airport. And I told him, he still remembers him. And we’ll be kind to him.

“That as a vice president, under you, more than 1,000 kilometres of roads have already been constructed in the northeastern part of Nigeria. And again, we asked the northern candidate, can you show us 200 kilometre road that he himself was able to at least help the people of northeast when he was the vice president. Till this moment, we have not seen one,” Sani said.

The governor also commended Tinubu for the ongoing reconstruction of the Abuja-Kaduna-Kano Expressway, saying the Federal Government had committed N740 billion to the project.

According to him, about 95 per cent of the reconstruction work has been completed.

Sani said the road was critical to national connectivity, linking states across the North-West, North-Central and North-East, as well as connecting northern Nigeria to the southern part of the country.

“I told you, Mr. President, it was the most important road in the whole of Nigeria. And you agreed with me, Mr. President, at that time. And you also assured us that you are going to pay the 740 billion Naira for the reconstruction of Abuja-Kaduna-Kano-Express road.

“As we are speaking, Mr. President, 95% of the work has been completed. We want to thank you, Mr. President, because Abuja-Kaduna-Express road connects 12 states. North-west, north-central, and north-east, Mr. President.

“As well as connecting northern Nigeria to southern part of Nigeria. We are very grateful to you because there were two reasons why the previous government abandoned Abuja-Kaduna road. The reasons were two.

“Number one, insecurity. Number two, funding. Today, I’m happy to say, Mr. President, looking at the people here, more than 90% of them that have come through Abuja access came by road. Nobody has experienced a single problem of kidnapping. That is progress, Mr. President,” he said.

Sani further praised Tinubu’s administration for its support for agriculture, describing the sector as the mainstay of the Nigerian economy.

He said the Federal Government had supported agricultural transformation across states, particularly in northern Nigeria, adding that the administration’s interventions were worthy of recognition.

The governor pledged the support of northern Nigerians for Tinubu’s re-election bid.

“At this juncture, I want to thank you, Mr. President. And I want to assure you that the people of northern Nigeria will repay you with their own votes,” he said.

Sani also urged APC supporters to remain vigilant, alleging that opposition parties were increasingly relying on artificial intelligence (AI) in their campaigns rather than engaging in conventional political mobilisation.

“The opposition have now upgraded their campaign from Facebook and Twitter to AI. So I want to call the attention of our supporters to be very watchful, to be vigilant.

“The opposition are only campaigning with an AI, no any real campaign. I want to thank you, and I want to tell you, Mr. President, and everyone about your fine time to be here today to attend this very important groundbreaking,” Sani said.

The Kaduna rally marks the official flag-off of Tinubu’s campaign for re-election in the 2027 presidential election, with APC leaders and supporters gathering at the Kaduna Township Stadium to demonstrate support for the president.