Playing Politics With Tinubu’s Recent Visit To Kaduna

John Shirklam writes about President Bola Tinubu’s recent visit to Kaduna state noting that with visible projects and a unified party structure all indices appear bright for both leaders ahead of the 2027 general elections

Thousands of Kaduna residents on Thursday, June 19, 2025, trooped out to welcome President Bola Tinubu during his official visit to the state, where he inaugurated a series of people-oriented projects executed by the state governor, Senator Uba Sani.

The Murtala Square, Kaduna venue of the grand civic reception for the President, was overwhelmed by an enthusiastic crowd that made entry nearly impossible. Security forces struggled to manage the surging crowd  thatclamoured for access to catch a glimpse of the president.

Tinubu arrived in the northern city around midday and embarked on a tour of key developmental projects completed under the Sani administration.

The projects inaugurated by the president included a 300-bed specialist hospital, the 24-kilometre Kafanchan Township Road, the TudunBiri Road, and the 22-kilometre road connecting KauruKubau Local Government Areas.

The president also inaugurated multiple vocational and skills training centres located in Rigachikun, Soba, SamarunKataf.

Also inaugurated by the President was 100 Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) buses under Kaduna State Green Transport Initiative.

Addressing the crowd, Tinubu commended Governor Sani’s leadership, describing him as “an agent of change” who has steered Kaduna from instability to peace and development.

“Governor Uba Sani is an agent of change, stability, love, unity, and progress. “

Tinubu said “Uba Sani has performed wonders and changed  the environment from toxic, uncontrollable environment to a state of life, progress and development. I say thank you, my comrade”.

The President said he was happy to be in Kaduna, recalling a long-standing connection with the state throughout his journey in politics, business, and pursuit of democracy and fundamental human rights.

“I had the privilege of working alongside Kaduna, many distinguished sons and daughters.

“Today, many of you are present here, many of you are not here”, he said.

Tinubu also used the occasion to correct the omission of Col. Dangiwa Umar (rtd),  a former military administrator of Kaduna state from the list of those conferred with National Honours during his broadcast on democracy day on June 12.

“Let me use this opportunity to correct an omission. Some of those people that I missed out during the June 12 broadcast at the National Assembly were  ColonelDangiwa Umar (rtd). Today, let me correct that by honouring him with national recognition of CFR (Commander of the Federal Republic)…” he said.

Speaking further, the President said, “Today I have seen example of people-oriented commitment development agenda in the governor who has established not only critical sector to change and develop the minds of our youths leaving schools as well as providing them with skills and opportunities to excel.

“Senator Uba Sani, the great people of Kaduna, loves you, and that extends to our commitment to democracy, justice, and dignity of life. You are a good leader, and I am very happy we have to work with you.

“I think I am a lucky person. I am overwhelmed by the warm reception by the government and the people of Kaduna state.

“I am particularly impressed with the peaceful atmosphere prevailing in this state…

“I remember when I came for campaigns, we had to go to BirninGwari with a battalion of security.

“I have it on good authority that you can move to BirninGwari today around midnight without fear of attack.

“Peace is the hallmark of development. That is why you are able to channel a system that is yielding results.

“Thank you, governor, for the good job you are doing.

“I am proud to say that Kaduna is raising again, and we will work with you.

“For this, in every aspect of your development agenda, we will do our best to ensure we achieve the vision of progress, prosperity.

“Don’t forget the fact that the light rail project is there on our focus, we are going to do it, and we will do it together.

“I have gone round, what you have been doing is laudable for this country and I want to remind all our governors that skills development centre that we jointly commissioned today, is an attribute sub nationals should follow.

“Whatever we need to do together, we will do it. We will soon launch a comprehensive agenda on that as well raise hope agenda for our food sovereignty.”

The President also commended All Progressives Congress (APC) governors (many of whom accompanied him to Kaduna) for their unity and support for his administration. Among those who accompanied him to Kaduna were governors of Kwara, Imo, Ogun, Lagos, Nasarawa, Kebbi, Jigawa, Ekiti, Ebonyi,  Edo, Sokoto states.

Also in attendance were former Vice President Namadi Sambo; former military governor of Rivers state, ZamaniLekwot;  Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon Tajudeen Abbas; Deputy Senate President, Senator BarauJibrin; Ministers, traditional rulers as well as top government functionaries.

Earlier in his welcome address, Governor Sani described the President’s visit as “a powerful affirmation” of governance rooted in empathy and vision. He credited his administration’s accomplishments to Tinubu’s unwavering support and his administration’s alignment with the president’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

The governor highlighted his achievements in the past two years to include the inauguration of the Kaduna Bus Rapid Transit (KBRT), the first in Northern Nigeria;

Groundbreaking of the Kaduna Light Rail Transit (KLRT), with N100 billion backing from the federal government; the inauguration of the 300-bed specialist hospital, the distribution of 100 CNG buses offering free rides for six months; establishment of a world-class vocational institute offering certifications from Microsoft, Google, Huawei, and Cisco; renovation or construction of over 1,700 classrooms and 62 new secondary schools; expansion of financial inclusion to 2.5 million formerly unbanked residents and completion of 29 out of 79 targeted road projects spanning over 780 kilometers; revival of 535 schools and recovery of 500,000 hectares of dormant farmland, among  several others.

He called on northern leaders to stand and  support the president’s vision.

“With your steady hand on the wheel and our hands on the plough, Kaduna will continue to rise — and Nigeria will flourish”, the governor said.

In their goodwill messages at the occasion, Sambo, Lekwat, and the Executive Secretary of the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), Bugaje celebrated Sani for his leadership qualities and achievements

In his remarks, Sambo expressed gratitude to God for the opportunity to witness the inauguration of various projects in Kaduna, particularly the 300-bed specialist hospital.

The former vice president described the hospital’s inauguration as a fulfilment of a vision that began in 2009 during his tenure as governor of Kaduna State.

“Today, we celebrate the realisation of a project that was conceived over 16 years ago. It is a dream come true for the people of Kaduna,” Sambo said.

He recalled that as governor, he was confronted with a painful healthcare reality. Fewer than 3,000 hospital beds were available for a population exceeding six million.

Sambo noted that the situation worsened when Kaduna metropolis lost its 800-bed hospital following the relocation of Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital to Shika, Zaria.

He lamented that many families were forced to travel outside the state in search of specialist medical care.

“Our goal was to reverse health tourism and provide world-class medical services at home,” he said.

The newly inaugurated 300-bed specialist hospital is expected to significantly boost healthcare delivery in the state and reduce the pressure on tertiary medical centres.

In his goodwill message, Lekwot  thankedTinubu for the visit describing Kaduna as a mini Nigeria.

“You have spared time to come and see the nice work Governor Uba Sani is doing,” he said.

According to Lekwot, when Sani was sworn- in, in 2023,  Kaduna state was in turmoil because of what he inherited.

“We want to thank Mr. President and your government for supporting him. We congratulate him also for being a God-fearing leader”, the former military governor said.

According to him, Sani’s sterling leadership qualities have transformed the politics of Kaduna.

Lekwot said, “Two years on, we now have peace and tranquillity for which we thank God.

“Last year, he shared 500 trucks of fertilizer to farmers irrespective of tribe or religion. “That is the kind of quality leadership that he has. Against what his predecessor in office did, he established a council of elders to advise him. Last year, we held five successful meetings. We are very, very proud of him.”

Speaking further, he said “Kaduna state is lucky to have Senator Sani as governor. “Let’s continue to pray for him so that God can guide him and grant him the courage to do what he is doing so well for the benefit of the whole state.”

According to him, the elders have resolved to support the governor in every facet of his administration “because we see in him, quality leadership.”

Lekwot said Sani’s “all embracing policies affects all the nooks and crannies of the state.

“His seven-point agenda beginning with the transformation of rural areas where real development starts is very, very inspiring.

“We therefore, feel citizens of Kaduna state not only have a duty to pray for him but to support him”.

On his part, Bugaje described the Kaduna governor as a “dedicated disciple and promoter of President Tinubu’s  Renewed Hope Agenda in Kaduna state through skills empowerment.”

He noted that “Senator Uba Sani belongs to everybody in the state.

“There’s inclusivity. The three institutes are established in all three senatorial districts.

“So the external dimension to his politics is that he belongs to everybody.

“The internal dimension of Uba Sani is he belongs to Mr. President, there is no shaking on that. That is why I called him a dedicated disciple of renewed hope agenda.

“May God bless Kaduna state under the able leadership of Senator Uba Sani, May God bless the federal republic under the leadership of Tinubu”, Bugaje said.

As Kaduna State continues to bask in its development renaissance, many observers believe that the political and developmental alignment between Tinubu and Sani shone well for both leaders ahead of the 2027 elections.

With strong grassroots support, visible projects, and a unified party structure, the future indeed looks promising for Kaduna — and for the political partnership shaping its resurgence.