Abuja: Amid rising political discourse on regional equity, the Presidency has firmly debunked allegations by Sen. Rabiu Kwankwaso, who claimed that President Bola Tinubu’s administration is sidelining Northern Nigeria in developmental projects.
Special Adviser on Media and Public Communication to the President, Mr Sunday Dare, stated this via his official X handle on Friday.
Dare insists that the North has not been forgotten, citing a slew of ongoing infrastructure, agricultural, health, and energy initiatives aimed at transforming the region.
Kwankwaso, the 2023 NNPP presidential candidate, had alleged that the Tinubu administration is favouring the South in terms of projects while ignoring the North.
Dare dismissed the claim, citing numerous ongoing projects and development programmes across the region.
”The claim that Northern Nigeria has been left behind is incorrect.
” The Tinubu administration has initiated and continued several landmark projects in the North, covering roads, agriculture, healthcare, and energy,” Dare said.
He referenced key infrastructure projects such as the Abuja–Kaduna–Kano Expressway and the Sokoto–Zamfara–Katsina Road.
Dare also highlighted the Sokoto–Badagry Super Highway as a significant federal investment enhancing northern connectivity.
On agriculture, he cited the $ 158.15 million Agriculture Value Chain Programme, currently underway in nine northern states.
He mentioned the Kolmani Integrated Development Project in Bauchi and Gombe, as well as the World Bank-funded ACReSAL programme.
ACReSAL is targeting the restoration of over one million hectares of degraded land in semi-arid northern areas.
Dare pointed out health sector investments, including upgrades at Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital and over 1,000 primary health centres.
Other beneficiaries included the Federal Teaching Hospital Katsina and the University of Jos Teaching Hospital.
In the transportation sector, he listed the Kaduna–Kano and Kano–Maradi rail lines, as well as the rehabilitation of Abuja’s light rail, among others.
He also cited energy projects, such as the ABIBA 50MW Solar Power Station in Kaduna, designed to boost electricity access.
Dare listed key roads, including the Zaria–Funtua–Gusau–Sokoto Dual Carriageway and the Kaduna–Jos Single Carriageway.
Others include: Kano–Kongolam Road, Yakasai–Zalli Road, and the Sokoto–Badagry Super Highway.
He also mentioned the Abuja–Kaduna–Zaria–Kano Dual Carriageway, the Biu–Kangiwa–Kamba–Gaya–Niger Republic Road, and the Gamboru Bridge repair.
Others are the expansion of the Mararaba–Keffi Road, Lafia Bypass construction, and the Kano–Maiduguri Dual Carriageway.
Dare said that in just two years, Tinubu’s administration has laid a foundation for long-term development in the northern region, contrary to Kwankwaso’s claims of neglect.