The presidency has firmly denied claims made by Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso regarding Tinubu Northern infrastructure development efforts.
Kwankwaso, the NNPP’s 2023 presidential candidate, accused the federal government of neglecting the North during a recent constitutional dialogue.
He specifically lamented the terrible state of the Abuja-Kaduna-Kano highway, which he described as “hell” compared to southern roads.
He shared his personal travel ordeal to illustrate what he believes is clear marginalisation of the North by the Tinubu-led administration.
Responding on X (formerly Twitter), Presidential Adviser Sunday Dare dismissed the Tinubu Northern infrastructure development claim and provided evidence countering Kwankwaso’s allegations.
Dare highlighted that Tinubu has actively invested in Northern infrastructure, agriculture, healthcare, transportation, and renewable energy.
He listed critical projects like the Abuja-Kaduna-Kano Expressway, the Sokoto-Badagry Highway, and the Sokoto-Zamfara-Katsina corridor.
In the agricultural sector, Dare noted the $158.15 million Value Chain Development Programme across nine northern states, supported by international partners.
He also mentioned the Kolmani Integrated Project and the ACReSAL initiative, backed by the World Bank, covering degraded land restoration.
In healthcare, federal investments include upgrades at ABU Teaching Hospital, Zaria; Federal Teaching Hospital, Katsina; and over 1,000 PHCs.
For transportation, rail developments such as the Kaduna-Kano and Kano-Maradi rail lines are currently progressing under the administration’s watch.
The presidency also cited energy projects like the 50MW ABIBA Solar Power Station in Kaduna, expanding electricity access in the North.
Ongoing road upgrades include the Zaria-Funtua-Gusau-Sokoto Dual Carriageway and the Dikwa-Gamboru-Ngala Road in Borno State.
Sunday Dare concluded that President Tinubu has built a strategic foundation to stimulate Northern development across multiple key sectors.
He maintained that Kwankwaso’s statements were not supported by the facts and misrepresented the administration’s development record.
