Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani, has said President Bola Tinubu has fulfilled two major promises he made to the state during his 2022 campaign visit to Birnin Gwari.
Uba spoke on Saturday at the All Progressives Congress presidential campaign flag-off rally at Ranchers Bees Stadium in Kaduna, where he highlighted the Federal Government’s interventions in security, transportation, education, healthcare, agriculture and human capital development.
“Today, I can assure you that the two promises you made, I am happy to say that you have fulfilled the promises,” Uba said.
He recalled that Tinubu had promised to reconstruct the Kaduna-Birnin Gwari road, adding that work was ongoing on the 133-kilometre route, which he said had been abandoned for more than 40 years.
Uba also said Tinubu had pledged to address insecurity along the Birnin Gwari corridor, claiming that the security situation had improved significantly.
“Today, you can travel to Birnin Gwari with your eyes closed without a single police escort,” he said.
The governor further disclosed that more than 300 schools and over 150 primary healthcare centres previously shut due to insecurity had reopened.
He also praised the Federal Government’s interventions in road infrastructure, particularly the Zaria-Soba-Pambegua road, where construction work was ongoing.
On rail transportation, Uba said Kaduna had been selected as a pilot state for a metropolitan rail project, adding that $865m had been approved for the proposed 20-kilometre Kaduna Metropolitan Rail Line.
According to him, the contractor had informed him that it had been mobilised with $300m for the project.
The governor also commended the Federal Government’s student loan scheme, saying the North-West had benefited to the tune of N84bn, supporting about 414,000 students across the country.
He said many beneficiaries were children from low-income families who would otherwise struggle to finance their education.
Uba urged residents of Kaduna State and Nigerians in general to support Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027, citing the administration’s policies and ongoing infrastructure projects.
The rally brought together APC supporters, government officials and party leaders as the ruling party began mobilising support for Tinubu’s second-term bid.
Also speaking, Vice-President Kashim Shettima urged Nigerians to support the Tinubu administration, saying the President had demonstrated a commitment to national development and the North.
Shettima expressed gratitude to the people for supporting the administration, saying the government could not have secured its mandate without their confidence.
“We have come to you with a heart full of gratitude. Gratitude for standing with us. Gratitude for believing in us,” the Vice-President said.
He said the administration was committed to keeping Nigeria united and overcoming economic challenges, adding that the President and his team would continue working to improve the country.
Shettima also defended Tinubu’s record of political support for Northern leaders, recalling his backing for former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar when he sought the presidency under the Action Congress of Nigeria in 2007.
He further cited Tinubu’s support for former President Muhammadu Buhari in the 2015 and 2019 presidential elections, saying the President had maintained longstanding political ties with the North.
The Vice-President listed several projects and initiatives he said reflected the Federal Government’s commitment to Kaduna State, including the establishment of the Federal University of Applied Sciences in Kachia and the transition of the Federal College of Education, Zaria, into a university of education.
The campaign flag-off attracted APC supporters from Kaduna and other parts of the country as the party began its mobilisation for Tinubu’s re-election bid.