Kaduna Women for Accountability (KW4A) has praised Governor Uba Sani for what it described as a historic wave of road projects transforming both rural and urban communities across the state.
Speaking at a press briefing in Kaduna on Monday, KW4A Chairperson, Maryam Ibrahim, said the governor has broken the cycle of rural neglect by launching unprecedented infrastructure projects that are “supercharging Kaduna’s progress and silencing cynics.”
She revealed that a total of 78 new road projects covering 775 kilometres have been rolled out across all 23 LGAs, while several strategic roads have already been completed and opened for use. Among them are the revived Kaduna Bridge linking Kabala Costain to Aliyu Makama Road, which is easing traffic on Ahmadu Bello Way, and the 14.8 km dual carriageway in Millennium City, a key part of the state’s urban renewal drive.
According to her, the first phase of the road programme delivered 85 roads spanning 785 km, with 44 already completed, while the second phase added more than 50 new roads and bridges covering 550 km.
Highlighting the wider impact, Ibrahim noted that the projects have boosted inclusion in rural communities, strengthened the APC’s political capital, reduced transport costs, improved market access, and restored government credibility.
Governor Uba Sani has pledged to complete all projects initiated by his administration, assuring that no contract will be abandoned under his watch.
The governor gave the assurance on Friday during the groundbreaking of township roads at Rigasa ward in Igabi Local Government Area.
Speaking in Hausa, Sani said the road projects would be executed without borrowing, stressing that his administration would not owe contractors who deliver on schedule.
He disclosed that four road projects in Rigasa had been awarded to China Civil Engineering Corporation (CCEC), which he described as a credible firm. The projects, he added, would be completed within one year, with 50 per cent mobilization already released.
The governor said his vision was to transform Rigasa into a modern township with quality infrastructure and social amenities, describing the ceremony as “not just about breaking ground but about rewarding hard work and opening up opportunities for the people of Igabi.”
He noted that Rigasa, one of Nigeria’s largest wards, had suffered years of neglect despite its proximity to the city centre and huge population. He recalled the ward’s support in the 2023 election, saying 32.06 per cent of votes from Igabi came from Rigasa.
Sani said the project would benefit thousands of households.
“Residents of Igabi contribute significantly to the economy through farming, business, and civil service. Investing in roads like these will directly improve their livelihoods,” he added.
The governor also performed the groundbreaking for the reconstruction of Zango road at Tudun Wada ward in Kaduna South LGA. He described the project as personal, recalling his years as a student at Kaduna Polytechnic in the area.
He lamented the neglect of Tudun Wada, saying its few existing roads were in disrepair despite the area’s population and economic contributions.
“Today is the beginning of good things for Zango and other parts of Tudun Wada,” he said.
Sani noted the importance of the road, which links major institutions and markets, including Zango Cattle Market, Animal Feed Stores, Sheikh Abubakar Gumi College, Islamic Medical Foundation, and School of Health Technology, while connecting to the Nnamdi Azikiwe Western By-Pass.
Highlighting progress under his Rural Revitalisation Agenda, the governor said his administration had flagged off 85 roads covering 785km in the first phase, with 44 already completed.
The second phase, he said, would deliver over 50 more roads and bridges covering 550km.
Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani has vowed to pursue justice for the 13 travellers from the state who were killed by a mob at Mangun, Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State in June.
The victims, on their way to a wedding in Qua’an Pan Local Government, were waylaid and killed. Eleven of them were from Unguwan Dantsoho village, Sabon Gari ward in Kudan Local Government.
Speaking at Unguwan Dantsoho, where he performed the ground-breaking for the construction of a 6-kilometre road from Hunkuyi Junction to Bassawa, linking Kudan and Sabon Gari councils, Sani restated his commitment to seek justice for the victims.
The governor said Allah had placed the burden of protecting lives and property on him, and he would not relent until he discharged the duty.
He recalled that he had promised financial support and houses for the families of the deceased during his condolence visit, pledges he said have been fulfilled.
According to him, the demand for road construction in the area was also made during the visit, hence the commencement of the new project.
Sani lamented that Kudan is one of 12 local councils that have not benefited from any road project in the last 12 years. He said politicians from the area should be ashamed of themselves.
He also pledged to construct a hospital in Unguwan Dantsoho and provide financial assistance for women in the community.
“Some politicians are only good at appearing on television to boast of billions accrued during their tenure, but there is nothing on the ground to show for it. We are not a government of noise makers.
“When I assumed office, I promised to take development to both urban and rural areas because Kaduna’s revenue does not belong to city dwellers alone,” he said.
The governor commended residents of the area for their peaceful disposition, urging them to maintain it, since development, he stressed, thrives only where there is peace.
“There is no ballot box on Twitter. There is no ballot box on Instagram or Facebook. Elections are won at the grassroots, not on social media.” … His Excellency, Governor Uba Sani, the Executive Governor of Kaduna State
The recently concluded by-elections across Nigeria, particularly in Kaduna State, are an attestation that the good people of Kaduna State are happy with the performance of His Excellency, Governor Uba Sani. The By-elections are a referendum by the people at the sub-national level, and they should be key performance indicators in the various states. While in some states, some incumbent political parties had to share the wins with opposition parties, the All Progressives Congress (APC) under the leadership of Governor Uba Sani won all the by-elections.
While in some States, the opposition political parties are challenging the outcome of the by-elections, there is relative silence from the opposition political parties in Kaduna State.. Interestingly, leading up to the by-elections, some opposition political leaders were running about fomenting social media campaigns, especially around the Zaria constituency, claiming that they had the “mobilized” massive support of the people. One would have thought that by now they would be shouting that the election was rigged and that they were the ones who won! But alas! They have pocketed the loss in silence. The silence of those opposition figures in the face of defeat speaks volumes about the level of acceptance of the leadership of Governor Uba Sani in Kaduna State. Otherwise, their voices would have been very loud across all social media platforms, claiming what I call “audio victory”. Governor Uba Sani aptly captured the reality when he stated that, “There is no ballot box on Twitter. There is no ballot box on Instagram, or Facebook. Elections are won at the grassroots, not on social media”. I couldn’t agree more.
Furthermore, what is profound and worthy of note is that the APC won at the Chikun/ Kajuru federal constituency, a zone that had consistently voted for opposition parties for over two decades. This signifies that the good people of Kaduna South are happy with the style of leadership of Governor Uba Sani. This is a breath of fresh air from the toxic air of uncertainty, insecurity, hatred, bitterness, and disrespect that pervaded Kaduna State in the eight years before his administration.
Therefore, I congratulate His Excellency Governor Uba Sani on the success of the by-elections in Kaduna state. It is a well-deserved victory.
The resounding victory of the APC in Kaduna South has demonstrated Governor Uba Sani’s high level of political clout, emotional intelligence, bridge-building capacity, cultural diplomacy, and delivery of the dividends of democracy across Kaduna State, especially his special attention to rural development, which is a bedrock of development of any State. Governor Uba State is not only focusing on the right direction, but he is also delivering his campaign promises. Without a doubt, if Governor Uba Sani continues on this trajectory, then we can safely say that he will clinch a second term in office as the Governor of Kaduna State in 2027.
In my opinion, Governor Uba Sani is one of the most proactive and impactful of the incumbent State Governors in Nigeria. He is also one of the shining leaders of northern Nigeria who has emerged. I believe that he will contribute significantly to changing the declining political and debilitating social and economic trajectories of northern Nigeria in particular and the overall progress of Nigeria in general.
Governor Sani is not resting on his laurels. He is Consolidating
As we proceed from midterm moving into the second phase of this administration, we look forward to the manifestation of a lot of the Foreign Direct Investments (FDIs) and Public-private Partnerships (PPPs) that Governor Uba Sani have signed off thus far which align with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, at the state level in the areas of agriculture, rural development, education, youth empowerment, infrastructural development, solid minerals energy, renewable energy, etc.
Governor Uba Sani’s focus and impacts so far, on education, youth empowerment, and social justice, amongst others is very impressive, especially at this time there is the need for northern leaders to move away from rhetoric to action, to deal with the issues of out-of-school children, dwindling education, unemployment, poverty, youth restiveness, the dangerous decline in the quality of our human capital, and insecurity in northern Nigeria.
Moreover, what is true and clear is that Governor Uba Sani is continuously building bridges of peace and goodwill. He is continually assuaging the fears and building the trust and confidence of the good people of Kaduna State, residents, foreigners, investors, and other stakeholders, reassuring them that for the first time in a long time, Kaduna State is safe. Indeed, in the past two years since he became the Executive Governor of Kaduna State, Kaduna State has returned to its pride of place in the political, social, and economic schemes of Nigeria. Kaduna State, being the one-time capital of the northern region, is a trailblazer and a home to all Nigerians and also foreigners.
As a northern Nigerian, I have also been a friend and resident of Kaduna State, having worked in Kaduna State during the early years of my professional career circa 1994, when I was the project manager of the computerization of the New Nigerian Newspapers Headquarters, and from where I was also a project support for the computerization of the then Office of the Accountant General of Benue State, and the Ministry of Finance, amongst other projects. For over 30 years, I have also been conducting business in Kaduna State, particularly in areas of agriculture and commerce. As an indigene of Kano State, I have made Kaduna State my second home, and I have always loved the State and its good people. Hence, I was always heartbroken like many Nigerians when the peace, harmony, and peaceful co-existence of Kaduna State were disrupted, with devastating consequences, especially in the eight years before the administration of Governor Uba Sani.
I am therefore delighted that Mr. Governor has restored peace, harmony, and prosperity to Kaduna State since he took the mantle of Governorship of Kaduna State.
Second term projections
Nigeria is a democracy. Therefore, opposing voices and opposing personalities will continue to have their say, and even in some cases, they could have their way.
Currently, in the case of Kaduna State, I think that the opposition parties in Kaduna will be content with having their say in terms of electoral victory. Because, undeniably, they know that with the performance of Governor Uba Sani, it is highly unlikely for them to achieve electoral victory.
Accordingly, if Mr. Governor continues with his current performance and achievements, God willing, he will ultimately win the 2027 Governorship election for a second term in office. This is because there is a nexus between performance, impacts on the people, and achieving another electoral victory for an incumbent political leader. I am very optimistic that Governor Uba Sani will get a second term in office. And I wish him well in that regard.
Governor Uba Sani’s Democratic Credentials as a Success Factor
Governor Uba Sani’s sterling democratic credentials as a democrat, and vanguard for the restoration of democracy in Nigeria from the shackles of Military juntas, risking his life along with other freedom fighters, is a testament to his pedigree, not as a freeloading onlooker, but as an active warrior for democracy who has earned his place in the annals of the political history of Nigeria. We will recall that he stood in the trenches fighting for the emancipation of Nigeria from the grip of brutal military dictatorship along with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and other brilliant, dogged heroes of democracy, some of whom paid the ultimate price with their lives, while others like President Bola Tinubu had to flee Nigeria and go into exile, as others like Governor Uba Sani were incarcerated and/ or convicted and sentenced to years in prison or death. The ordeals that vanguards, like Governor Uba Sani and his Comrades, were facing did not deter, demotivate, or stop them until, by Providence, Nigeria returned to democracy in 1999.
Therefore, nobody can take away these sterling democratic credentials from Governor Uba Sani, which are marked with tears, scars, and blood. Unlike some other politicians who conveniently remained silent, collaborated or actively supported military juntas for their selfish interests, and only started speaking out or criticizing power when it was more convenient, fashionable, or even profitable.
Conclusion
The recently concluded by-elections in Kaduna State have left no one in doubt that Governor Uba Sani is now in charge of Kaduna State politics and leadership. It has also put lousy busybody politicians in their place. Politicians who are of the illusion that insults, toxic rhetoric, and political gallivanting will win elections will soon sober up, or they will soon get used to losing elections as they diminish into political oblivion.
The Rector of Nuhu Bamalli Polytechnic, Dr. Muhammad Kabir Abdullahi, has commended Kaduna State Governor, Senator Uba Sani, for his transformative interventions that have repositioned the institution.
He noted that under the governor’s leadership, all dilapidated buildings and hostels across the campuses have been renovated, giving students a more conducive environment for learning and accommodation.
According to him, the state government also funded the re-accreditation of over 40 academic programmes and introduced 21 new ones, significantly expanding the academic portfolio of the polytechnic. He urged students to take advantage of the broader opportunities now available.
The Rector further acknowledged the role of Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND), whose intervention projects have upgraded facilities and enhanced teaching and research resources in the institution.
Students expressed gratitude to the governor and TETFUND for the transformation. Maryam Sani Adam said the interventions had “changed the face of the school” and renewed their motivation to excel, while Andrew Mikel praised management’s success in securing re-accreditation and expanding programmes as proof of commitment to academic excellence.
For the 2024/2025 session, the polytechnic admitted 4,596 students across its ND, NCE, HND, and IJMB programmes.
Kaduna State Commissioner of Information, Malam Ahmed Maiyaki, has described the All Progressives Congress (APC)’s sweeping victories in the weekend bye-elections as proof of Governor Uba Sani’s inclusive governance and people-centred leadership.
Reacting to the outcome of the Chikun/Kajuru Federal Constituency and the Zaria Kewaye and Basawa State Assembly Constituency elections, Maiyaki said the results reflect the growing trust communities across the state now repose in the governor and the ruling party.
He noted that the triumph in Chikun/Kajuru was both “historic and symbolic,” representing the breaking of a long-standing jinx in a constituency that had consistently resisted the APC’s advances.
According to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), APC’s Joseph Felix Bagudu polled 34,580 votes to decisively defeat the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Princess Esther Dawaki, who managed 11,491 votes. The African Democratic Congress (ADC) scored 3,477 votes, while the Social Democratic Party (SDP) trailed with just 142 votes.
Maiyaki attributed the landslide victories to Governor Uba Sani’s grassroots-focused policies in road infrastructure, healthcare renewal, education reforms, and security interventions, which he said have resonated strongly with the people.
“The people of Chikun and Kajuru, as well as Zaria Kewaye and Basawa, have spoken loud and clear — they want progressive leadership, not recycled promises. They trust Governor Uba Sani’s leadership style of inclusivity,” Maiyaki declared amid jubilations that trailed the results.
With the Chikun/Kajuru victory delivering a 23,089-vote margin and the APC sweeping the Assembly bye-elections, Maiyaki said the party has not only broken new ground but also cemented its dominance across Kaduna State, positioning it on a solid pedestal ahead of 2027.
ADC, PDP trailing badly in Kaduna, Edo, Ogun, Anambra, others
Police, DSS arrest PDP agent with N30m cash in Kaduna
INEC officials, others nabbed in Ogun
ADC agents caught with ballot paper booklets in Anambra
APC wins in Kogi, PDP in Oyo
It was all pumping of hands and back slapping yesterday in the camps of Governors Monday Okpebholo (Edo State), Charles Soludo (Anambra), Uba Sani (Kaduna), Dapo Abiodun (Ogun) and Seyi Makinde (Oyo) as early results of the by-elections in parts of the country went hugely in favour of the candidates they had spent much time campaigning for in the last few months.
On the contrary, the candidates of ex-Kaduna State Governor Nasir El Rufai and those of Labour Party Presidential candidate in 2023, Mr.Peter Obi, had an outing to forget.
The elections were generally peaceful although there were reports of violence in Nnewi, Anambra State and Shanono, Bagwai and Ghari in Kano State.
The Kano State Police Command confirmed that it arrested 288 suspected thugs during the exercise.
Found in possession of the suspects were bows and arrows, daggers, cutlasses and charms.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) called for the cancellation of the Kano election in view of the violence blamed on supporters of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP).
Several party functionaries and a few officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) were arrested in Kaduna and Ogun states for being in possession of huge sums of money allegedly earmarked for compromising the electoral process.
Early returns from the polling booths showed that landslide victories awaited the APC senatorial candidate in Edo Central Joseph Ikpea and the party’s flag bearer in Ovia North East/Ovia South West Federal Constituency of the state, Omosede Igbinedion.
Omosede is the daughter of the Esama of Benin Kigdom, Chief Gabriel Igbinedion.
The 90-year-old Chief Igbinedion defied a downpour to vote at Polling Unit 7 in Okada.
Omosede polled 450 votes while the PDP and ADC got one vote each at the end of voting there.
She had contested for the same seat in 2023 on the platform of PDP but lost to APC’s Dennis Idahosa who vacated the seat following his election as Deputy Governor last September.
Her PDP opponent yesterday, Mr. Johnny Aikpitanyi, stormed Benin City to complain about alleged intimidation of voters.
He claimed that over 150 thugs and vigilance group members were deployed to intimidate voters at Oghede polling unit in Ovia North East.
Governor Okpebholo voted at Ward 2, Unit 1, Udomi Primary School in Esan Central Local Government Area but expressed frustration at the slow pace of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) used at the polling booth.
“Well, I just voted. You can see the frustration. The BVAS is just too slow. It takes too long before you can get accredited.
“I think INEC needs to look into this. So far, so good, the feelers I’m getting are good,” he told reporters.
He was until his election as governor the senator from the district.
Abiodun confirms supremacy over Adebutu in Remo
Governor Abiodun notched up one more victory over his close rival, PDP’s Ladi Adebutu, with the massive votes for the APC House of Representatives candidate for Ikenne/Shagamu/Remo North, Adesola Elegbeji.
The APC had run away with a narrow victory against the PDP in the 2023 election in the constituency.
When a vacancy occurred last year following the death of Hon. Adewunmi Onanuga, the PDP thought it was time to revenge only for the voters to decide otherwise.
Mr Bolarinwa Oluwole, PDP candidate in the by-election accused the APC of deploying thugs to chase voters away from polling units in the constituency.
He said the thugs targeted strongholds of the PDP to cause violence. He claimed there was no by-election in Ogun.
It was double embarrassment for the PDP in the state as the party was linked with an attempt to bribe its way to victory in the election.
The Ogun State Police Command confirmed the arrest of two individuals identified as INEC officials and others for alleged electoral offences in Iperu Remo, Ogun State, during the by-election.
The police spokesperson in the state, CSP Omolola Odutola, who confirmed the arrest through a statement, said the suspects were arrested at about 0045hrs by a police patrol team attached to the Iperu Remo Division.
CSP Odutola said that a Mitsubishi Spacewagon vehicle marked Lagos AKD 887 HT with three occupants – Mr. Toryem Joe-Stans and Ms. Mandara Aminat, both officials of the INEC, were intercepted in Iperu alongside the driver.
She explained that while the police patrol team was searching the vehicle, it discovered and recovered cash sum of two million five hundred thousand naira (₦2,500,000.00) from Joe-Stans Toryem.
The police spokesperson added that during interrogation, he confessed that the money was collected at Kehoy Hotel, Iperu, Ogun State from a man he referred to as “Political Solution.”
According to Odutola, the Commissioner of Police, Ogun State Command, CP Lanre Ogunlowo, had directed the transfer of the suspects to the State Criminal Investigation Department, Eleweran.
Soludo, former Anambra Speaker decry violence in Nnewi
Anambra State Governor Charles Soludo and the immediate past Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Hon Rita Maduagwu, deplored the violence that almost marred the Anambra South Senatorial District by-election.
Leading contestants for the seat left vacant by the death of APC’s Ifeanyi Ubah were Emmanuel Nwachukwu of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Azuka Okwusa of APC, Donald Amamgbo of Africa Democratic Congress (ADC) and Christian Ubah of PDP.
But it was the APGA candidate that seemed to have got the majority of the votes.
Of note is the poor showing of ADC’s Amamgbo for whom Mr. Peter Obi had campaigned vigorously.
Obi, a former governor of the Anambra State, got 584,621 votes in the state alone during the 2023 presidential election.
Soludo told reporters shortly after casting his vote at his polling unit 002, Ofiyi Square, Isuofia ward in Aguata Local Government Area that the state Commissioner for Environment, Dr Felix Odimegwu was assaulted by an opposition party during the by-election in the state.
“Just in the last few minutes, I got a terrible report from Nnewi South. The news is not palatable but predictable, because when you see you are losing, you begin to unleash violence to disrupt the electoral process,” he said.
“My Commissioner was in pains and crying that the APC governorship candidate in Anambra took truckload of police and thugs and was going from one polling unit to another beating up people, including the commissioner.
“That is shocking but not unexpected. That is what you do when you are desperate. I understand they are losing even in his ward.
“Let the people vote and let their votes count. That is what we are asking. But we are confident that at the end of the day, the people’s will must prevail,” he added.
A similar complaint of intimidation came from the APC.
It said its members and agents were being arrested by agents of the state government
Four polling agents of the APC were allegedly taken away by a local government chairman, provoking a protest by youths in the area.
Hon Rita Maduagwu, told The Nation that APGA supporters invaded her Ukpor Ward 3,009 to unleash mayhem on the voters
“Ukpor in Nnewi South had never witnessed such violence during election,” she said.
APC agents in Ward 4, Units 001 and 003 and Ward 4 Unit 8 in Ekwusigo were also allegedly arrested.
A video recording emerged on social media yesterday purporting to show two booklets of ballot papers already thumb-printed in favour of ADC.
The booklets were allegedly intended to be smuggled into ballot boxes at Aguata High School, Ekwolobi.
Uba Sani makes it happen for APC in Chikun, Zaria
The APC candidate in the Chikun/Kajuru Federal Constituency of Kaduna State, Joseph Bagudu, and that of Zaria/Kewaye State Constituency, Mohammed Haruna, also appeared to be cruising to victory at the close of voting.
Reports from the various polling centres showed that their votes overshadowed those of Adanu Alexander of ADC and Dawaki Esther of PDP for Chikun/Kajuru as well as Isiyaku Kabir of ADC and Mamuda Abdullahi of PDP for Zaria/Kewaye.
Mallam El Rufai had rolled out his political machinery ahead of the by-election, crisscrossing the various wards to canvass support for the ADC candidates.
But all that seemed to have counted for nothing as shown by the results from the fields.
The Chikun/Kajuru seat was left vacant by the death of LP’s Abubakar Adamu.
The Police Command in Kaduna State said its operatives in collaboration with those of the Department of State Services (DSS) and other security agencies arrested a suspected vote buyer ahead of the by-elections and recovered N30 million cash.
The command’s spokesperson, DSP Mansir Hassan, said the suspect was arrested at a popular Hotel located on Turunku Road in the Kaduna metropolis.
According to Hassan, the seized cash was earmarked for the purpose of inducing voters to compromise the electoral process.
According to him, preliminary investigations revealed that the suspect had planned to use the said amount to bribe eligible voters.
Hassan added: “On interrogation, the suspect confessed to the crime and pleaded for leniency.”
The Kaduna State chapter of the PDP confirmed ownership of the money but denied it was meant to compromise INEC officials or induce voters.
Addressing a press conference in Kaduna, the State Chairman of the party, Sir Edward Percy Masha, described the allegation of vote buying as “false, malicious and politically motivated.,” maintaining that the seized funds were intended to facilitate the work of PDP agents and officials during the by-elections across the state.
According to him, every political party mobilises agents, supervisors and collation officers during elections and such structures require funding.
He noted that with over 5,000 PDP agents deployed across the constituencies, the seized N30 million amounted to little more than stipends for their welfare.
Masha said: “Let me make it clear: that money was for election logistics. We have 169 wards, and if you multiply the number of agents, supervisors and collation officers by their allowances, you will arrive at well over N30 million.
“That is the reality. To now turn around and say it was for vote buying is mischievous and an insult to the intelligence of Nigerians.”
Masha lamented that the party has been the target of harassment by security agencies working, in his words, “at the behest of the Kaduna State Government.”
He accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of weaponising state institutions to intimidate the opposition.
He recalled that only a day earlier, security operatives raided the campaign council office of the PDP candidate for Chikun/Kajuru Federal Constituency, Princess Esther Ashivelli Dawaki, and whisked away several party officials, including the state publicity secretary, zonal chairman, youth leader, women leaders, and more than 18 others.
Makinde proves too strong for APC in Ibadan North
There seems to be nothing to stop the PDP candidate in the Ibadan North Federal Constituency by-election, Folajinmi Oyekunle, after securing massive votes across the constituency.
APC candidate, Olatunji Adewale was no match, winning only six votes at his Ward 10, Unit 27 polling unit as against the nine for Oyekunle.
288 armed thugs arrested in Shanono/Bagwai; APC,PDPcall for cancellation of election
The police in Kano State arrested 288 suspected thugs said to have engaged in disruptive activities during the by-election in Ghari/Tsanyawa and Bagwai/Shanono state constituencies.
Police spokesman, Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa, said various weapons were recovered from the suspects, including a pump action rifle and four locally made guns.
Other dangerous weapons recovered included bows and arrows, catapults and pebbles, cutlasses, knives and clubs.
“The suspects are currently in police custody. Investigations are ongoing to identify their sponsors and collaborators.”
The APC and PDP called for immediate cancelation of the by-election for Shanono/Bagwai constituency, and the Ghari constituency rerun election, citing alleged widespread extreme violence and election disruption by armed thugs across several polling units.
APC National Publicity Secretary Felix Morka said in a statement that “verifiable reports from Shanono and Bagwai Local Government Areas and Ghari constituency have voters fleeing polling areas, with deployed security personnel overwhelmed by the violence, making the prospects of a credible election impossible.
“Proceeding with the Shanono/Bagwai Kano State Constituency by-election and Ghari rerun election in the atmosphere of utter brigandage and outright violent voter intimidation will be against democratic dictates of free, fair and peaceful election, and set a dangerous precedent for undesirable and unacceptable electoral heist,” Morka said.
Kano State Chairman of the PDP, Yusuf Ado Kibiya, said his party was alarmed by reports of intimidation, thuggery and other actions that undermine the democratic process.
He said: “The use of violence or threat of violence to influence voters and candidates and the outcome of the election are unacceptable and must be condemned in the strongest possible terms.
“Such conducts not only endangers lives but destroys public trust in our democratic institutions.
“Let it be known that a free and fair election is the foundation of representative democracy.
“We urge all authorities to act decisively to safeguard that principle and to ensure the will of the people is reflected without fear or favor.”
APC’s Yakubu wins in Kogi
The APC candidate in the Egume/ Dekina State Constituency election in Kog State, Musa Hassan Yakubu, was returned with a total of 55, 073 votes.
Godwin Meliga of PDP came a distant second with 1038 votes, according to the results declared by the returning officer, Prof. Emmanuel Onoja Eneche.
In the third place was Egene Joseph Ugbede of APM who got 445 votes while Amos Ahaiba of ADC scored 141 votes. Rilwan Mudi of SDP had five votes and Yakubu Ugbede of A party polled 16 votes.
Anambra: APGA battles APC for late Ifeanyi Uba’s successor
Oyo: Can APC floor Makinde’s PDP in Ibadan North?
Kaduna: PDP, ADC take on Uba Sani in Kajuru/Chikun
In reality, only 1.09 per cent of the 1,467 national and state legislatives seats will be at stake in today’s by-elections in parts of the country.
But the political parties and their key actors are looking beyond the figures.
From the newly installed National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Prof. Nentawe G. Yilwatda to House of Representatives Speaker Tajudeen Abass, Governors Monday Okpebholo (Edo), Charles Soludo (Anambra), Seyi Makinde (Oyo),Uba Sani (Kaduna),Dapo Abiodun (Ogun),ex-Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, national leader of the New Nigeria People’s Party Rabiu Kwankwaso, Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin, and Labour Party’s presidential candidate in 2023, Peter Obi, this is one contest that can enhance or ruin relevance ahead of 2027.
It is a litmus test for the governors of Edo, Anambra, Oyo, Ogun and Kaduna governors, where high-profile battles will be fought, and for Yilwatda who is leading the APC troops in his first major task as national chairman.
Observers believe that a strong showing by the APC will further strengthen President Bola Tinubu’s foothold on the political landscape, while victory for crisis-ridden PDP could re-energise the party with more optimistic projections. And for smaller parties like ADC and LP, winning even one seat would be a morale booster.
At stake are two senatorial seats, one each in Edo and Anambra; five House of Representatives seats and nine state assembly seats.
The by-elections are scheduled for Adamawa, Anambra, Edo, Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Kogi, Niger, Ogun, Oyo, Taraba and Zamfara States.
In Adamawa, five candidates are vying for the House of Assembly in Ganye. In Anambra, 12 candidates are slugging it out for the Anambra South Senatorial District seat, which became vacant with the death of Ifeanyi Ubah a year ago, while five candidates are running for the Onitsha North 1 state House of Assembly seat.
In Edo State, eight contestants seek to occupy the Edo Central Senatorial District seat vacated by
Governor Okpebholo, while eight others are vying for the Ovia North East/Ovia South West House of Representatives position.
Jigawa State has 11 contenders for the Babura/Garki House of Representatives seat, Kaduna has nine gunning for a similar position in Chikun/Kajuru Federal Constituency while Zaria/Kewaye state constituency has six contestants.
APC, PDP and ADC candidates are contesting the Kaduna State House of Assembly seat in Basawa.
In Kano, the Shanono/Bagwa state assembly seat will be contested by 10 candidates, while in Kogi State, five political parties are fielding candidates for the House of Assembly seat in Okura and five are also contesting a similar seat in Munya, Niger State.
In Ogun State, eight contestants are slugging it out for the House of Representatives seat in Ikenne/ Sagamu/ Remo North federal constituency while in neighbouring Oyo State the battle to represent Ibadan North Federal Constituency will be fought by the APC, PDP, ADC, APGA and ZLP.
In Taraba, the three political parties are fighting to take the House of Representatives seat in Karim Lamido Federal Constituency while 14 political parties are jostling to represent Kaura Namoda South in the Zamfara State House of Assembly.
Additional polls that were not listed on INEC website are the two court-ordered re-runs which INEC’s National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Sam Olumekun said would take place in Enugu South I (Enugu) and Ghari/Tsanyawa (Kano) after previous attempts were disrupted by violence. INEC’s initial plans for by-elections in Rivers’ Khana II and Zamfara’s Talata Mafara South constituencies remain suspended owing to security and legal issues.
The APC National Chairman visited Ogun and Edo states on Thursday and met with Governors Abiodun and Okpebholo to “tighten our preparedness and strengthen our winning strategies.”
Yilwatda, in a post on his X handle @nentawe1, said: “The energy and determination I saw among our leaders and members on the ground filled me with renewed confidence that the APC is ready to deliver decisive victories.
“Our mission as a party is about service, unity and the shared dream of a greater Nigeria.
“In this defining moment, I call on all APC members and supporters to stand as one, work tirelessly and keep faith in our collective strength.
“Victory is not just possible; it is certain when we march forward together with purpose and conviction. Our unity will deliver our victory.”
The APC National Secretary, Senator Ajibola Bashiru, said the party committed the same energy accorded the general elections to the by-elections.
“We are prepared for the by-elections in all the 16 constituencies. The same commitment we give to the general elections is what we are giving to off-season elections. August 16 election is no exception,” he told The Nation.
“With the level of our preparation, we are optimistic of victory. We are optimistic that we shall be victorious in almost all the constituencies come Saturday, August 16.”
Kaduna: El-Rufai, PDP take on Uba Sani
Historically, Kaduna State has always been the epicentre of power politics in the country, and the active involvement of Governor Sani, his predecessor El-Rufai and HoR Speaker Abass in the campaigns for their candidates in Chikun/Kajuru Federal Constituency, Zaria/Kewaye state constituency as well as Basawa state constituency is already causing anxiety across the state.
Former governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has been working round the clock to ensure victory for the ADC-led opposition coalition candidate for House of Representatives in Chikun Local Government Area, Mr. Alex Adamu, taking the campaign to Kujama, Rido and Nassarawa wards, and for ADC candidates in Zaria/Kewaye and Sabon Gari.
Since breaking ranks with the APC, he has been in the vanguard of the opposition to the ruling party and is determined to prove that he is still a force to reckon with in the state.
But some ADC members led by the state chairman, Ahmad Tijjani Mustapha, are resisting the former governor and his supporters who they accused of seeking to hijack the party from the ‘original’ members.
Mustapha declared in a statement on Thursday night that the ADC was not in any alliance with the Social Democratic Party (SDP) for the purpose of the election.
He said the ADC would contest the elections independently and had not formed any formal or informal coalition with other political parties.
He emphasised that no agreement—written or verbal—exists between the ADC and the SDP regarding the upcoming polls.
“The ADC in Kaduna State is not in any coalition or alliance. We remain focused on our campaign and encourage our supporters to vote for ADC candidates,” Mustapha said.
Governor Sani, who has won to his side many frontline politicians in the state since he assumed office, is also determined to prove his worth as a formidable force.
Observers say recent defection of political heavyweights in all parts of Southern Kaduna into APC can make all the difference for the ruling party.
The generality of the people of Southern Kaduna appear to be comfortable with the Sani administration, with many of them saying the governor has addressed their complaints of marginalization.
His campaign focused on the relative peace in a state that had practically being taken over by bandits prior to his swearing in as governor.
Speaker Abass, an indigene of the state, joined in the campaign for the APC, mobilising the people for the election.
Abass on Thursday led the grand finale of the APC campaign for the Zaria Kewaye State Constituency.
It was a five-hour rally rounded off with a drive through the streets of Zaria Kewaye, including Tudun Wada, Tukur-Tukur, Kufena, Dutsen Abba and Filin Idin Katsinawa.
“With the mammoth crowd that attended the grand finale of the campaign rally, I am convinced that victory shall be ours come Saturday,” he said on his X handle Hon Abbas Tajudeen, PhD. @SpeakerAbbas
Sani, a former civil rights activist, grew up at great distance from ethnic and religious discrimination that plagued some of his predecessors.
Edo: APC, PDP in supremacy battle
The Edo Central Senatorial District seat was vacated by Governor Okpebholo (APC) who has been pulling all the strings to ensure that the seat remains in his party.
Fresh from what political foes tried to define as a controversial victory in the 2024 governorship election, Governor Okpebholo faces his first electoral test as APC leader in that contest and that of the Ovia North East/Ovia South West Federal Constituency.
Despite PDP’s keen preparations and its use of the incumbency factor during the Edo State governorship elections, Okpebholo roundly defeated PDP at the polls and in the courts.
The PDP wants victory in the elections badly if only to prove claims by its leaders that it was robbed of the governorship last year.
Candidates for the election in Edo Central are Hon Joseph Ikpea (APC) Prince Joe Okojie (PDP) and Hon Sergius Ogun (ADC).
The candidates for Ovia Federal Constituency in Edo South are Barrister Omosede Igbinedion (APC) Aikpitanyi Johnny (PDP) and Dr. Osayuki Asemota (ADC).
Other political parties in the race are the Action Alliance (AA), Allied Peoples Movement (APM), Action Peoples Party (APP), Action Democratic Party (ADP), New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) and Zenith Labour Party (ZLP).
The APC seems to have the edge in Ovia Federal Constituency owing to the coming together of two former rivals – Deputy Governor Dennis Idahosa and Barrister Igbinedion. Idahosa edged out Barrister Igbinedion from the House of Representatives in 2019 and defeated her again in 2023.
Idahosa hails from Ovia South West while Igbinedion hails from Ovia North East. The Igbinedions are a strong political family. Their patriarch, Chief Gabriel Igbinedion, the Esama of Benin, is responsible for many developmental projects in both local government areas.
Edo Central used to be the stronghold of the PDP until Governor Monday Okpebholo broke the jinx in 2023 to become the first elected APC Senator from the district. Okpebholo personally led the APC campaign in Edo Central.
The PDP had also campaigned effectively across the five local government areas. Candidate of the PDP, Prince Joe Okojie, hails from Uromi, the community with the highest number of voters in Edo Central.
The defection of PDP leaders ahead of the by-election may affect the chances of the party in today’s election.
Meanwhile, Edo State Chairman of the PDP, Tony Aziegbemi, has raised the alarm over alleged plot by the APC to subvert the will of the people.
He said credible intelligence showed a multi pronged plan involving inducement of voters with cash, smuggling of prewritten result sheets into collation centres and the use of the Nigerian Police Force to unlawfully deny duly accredited PDP agents access to collation centres.
Aziegbemi said the party uncovered plans to unleash armed thugs to violently disrupt voting in PDP strongholds.
“This brazen move is aimed at producing a violent and manipulated outcome that bears no resemblance to the true will of the people. Democracy is about the will of the people freely expressed at the ballot box, not the will of desperate politicians imposed at gunpoint,” he said in a statement.
Anambra: Soludo’s APGA,APC,Obi’s candidate slug it out
How much influence does Peter Obi still wield in his home state of Anambra ahead of 2027? The answer will emerge today when his candidate, Donald Amamgbo of Africa Democratic Congress (ADC) faces APC’s Azuka Okwuosa and APGA’s Emmanuel Nwachukwu in the Anambra South Senatorial by-election.
The late Ifeanyi Uba won the seat in 2023 on the platform of the Young Progressives Party (YPP) but defected to the APC.
Governor Soludo, who has an axe to grind with Obi, is doing all he can to get it for Nwachukwu while the APC is leveraging on Uba’s political machinery.
The Labour Party (LP) on whose platform Obi contested the 2023 election as presidential candidate is raging that he forsook the party to campaign for ADC candidates this time around.
Factional chairman of the LP, Julius Abure, branded Obi delusional and mischievous for asking voters to go for ADC candidates when Labour Party candidates are on the ballot.
“It is unfortunate that Obi has turned himself into an irony and a paradox in the Nigerian political space,” Abure said.
“He is now reputed to have elevated subterfuge in the game of politics and has of late been crying wolf where there is none.
“He has turned himself into an ‘Uber’ politician, not willing to take a position and stand by his decision.
“He has now booked a place for himself in the Guinness Book of Records as a person affiliated with many political parties at the same time, all in his desperation to preside over Nigeria.
Obi has been flirting with ADC. He said his decision to campaign for ADC candidates was because the LP has no candidates recognised by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) amid an internal crisis.
Police Inspector General Kayode Egbetokun has deployed Assistant Inspector General of Police, Godwin Eze, as the Supervisory Officer to Anambra for the two by-elections in the state.
While addressing the Officers at state Police headquarters on Thursday, he made it clear that only the police and other recognised government security outfits will take part in the elections.
The implication is that the security outfits set up by the Governor, Prof Chukwuma Soludo, namely, Agunechemba and Operation Udo Ga Achi, will not be allowed to operate while the elections are on.
He said:”Consequently, all vigilante operatives, hunters and other quasi-security outfits are strictly prohibited from any form of engagement during the exercise.
“Furthermore, to ensure a safe and hitch-free election, there shall be restrictions on vehicular movement from 6am to 6pm in the affected areas throughout the election period.
“The areas include Nnewi North and South, Orumba North and South, Ekwusigo, Aguata and Ihiala local government areas respectively, for the Anambra South Senatorial District.
“Others are Onitsha North Constituency 1 as well as Awka South Local Government Area where the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Headquarters is located.”
Abiodun, Adebutu rekindle rivalry in Ikenne/Sagamu/Remo North
The stakes are no less high in Ikenne/Federal Constituency of Ogun State where the state governor Dapo Abiodun and the PDP governorship candidate in 2023, Ladi Adebutu, are back in the trenches to test their popularity ahead of 2027.
Both Abiodun and Adebutu are from Remo.
The governor is rooting for APC’s Princess Sola Elegbeji while Adebutu is all for PDP’s Bolarinwa Oluwole. The seat was won in 2023 by APC’s Hon. Adewunmi Oriyomi Onanuga a.k.a. Ijaya.
Onanuga died last year.
Chairman of the Senate Committee on Appropriations, Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, has also thrown his weight behind Elegbeji, describing her as “the right choice at the right time.”
Adeola, who represents Ogun West, said Elegbeji is “an apostle of the progressive doctrines of the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo,” and “a true scion of Remo Federal Constituency whose political philosophy is rooted in service, equity, and enlightenment.
“Princess Sola Elegbeji is not just a candidate—she is a continuation of a legacy,” Adeola said.
“She has subscribed fully to the tenets of the Renewed Hope Agenda as championed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor Dapo Abiodun. Her emergence is a convergence of history, competence, and vision,” he added.
The APC regards the election a must win as it wants to prove that it is firmly in charge in the state. The governor, Dapo Abiodun, and top members of the state chapter of the APC are leaving nothing to chance.
On its part, the PDP wants to win the contest to prove that it is a formidable force in the state.
Oyo: Can APC topple Makinde’s PDP in Ibadan?
Governor Makinde has a lot to prove in the Ibadan North state constituency by-election today.
For a man regarded as one of the current backbones of the PDP believed by some to be nursing presidential ambition in 2027, there would be no better opportunity than now to show his strength.
And he needs a decisive win to make his point.
Power Minister Bayo Adelabu, who has his eyes on the 2027 governorship ticket of the APC, is also being looked upon by party members to demonstrate his relevance in his home town.
Barau woos voters in Kano
Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin led APC stakeholders to Shanono to woo voters ahead of the Shanono and Bagwai state constituency by-election.
The by-election is to fill the vacancy created by the demise of Halilu Kundila, a member of the APC.
Barau appealed to the people to vote for Ahmed Kademu, the APC candidate, in appreciation of the Tinubu administration’s reforms.
House of Representatives member Kabiru Abubakar from Bichi Constituency urged the people to support the APC candidate for a brighter future.
He highlighted the party’s commitment to developing the constituency, including a pledge to construct N10 billion worth of rural roads.
Kano State is controlled by the NNPP and is the home state of its leader Rabiu Kwankwaso.
Barau is determined to prove his relevance by delivering the election for the APC.
In Taraba, it is Kanda versus Shittu
For the Karim Lamido Constituency, Taraba State, the contest is between Ali Kanda (PDP) and Abner Shittu (APC). Both of them are greenhorns.
The constituency has been assailed by insecurity in the last three months. Thousands of lives have been lost and property destroyed by armed militias.
Ahead of the by-election, APC set up a 55-man campaign council.
It is headed by Senator Abdulazeez Yari, with Senator Orji Uzor Kalu as vice chairman.
But the PDP, which controls the state, said it is not perturbed.
Dogari, Bawa, Adabyinlo poised for showdown in Niger
Gaje Dogari (APC), Joshua Bawa (ADC) and Sunday Sabo Adabyinlo (PDP) are poised for a showdown in Munya state constituency of Niger State.
APC Publicity Secretary Hon. Labaran said the party would win because the Governor Bago administration has not disappointed the state.
The ADC Chairman, Mohammed Yahaya, however disagreed, saying that his party would win.
SDP to participate in by-elections, says INEC
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) yesterday announced a last-minute inclusion of the Social Democratic Party in the list of parties participating in the by-elections.
Spokesman for the commission, Sam Olumekun, said this followed the judgment of the Federal High Court, Abuja ordering the commission to accept the list of candidates presented by the party.
The Commission said it did not include the party at the initial stage because SDP did not notify it of the conduct of party primaries and therefore did not monitor same as required by law.
The statement reads: “The Commission has been served with the judgment of the Federal High Court, Abuja Division, in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/1525/2025.
“In the judgment, the Commission was ordered to include the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and its candidates in the by-elections in 12 states of the federation. The party did not earlier submit a valid notice for the conduct of primaries for the by-elections. For this reason, they were not monitored by the Commission.
“However, in compliance with the judgment, the names of the candidates submitted manually have been accepted and published on our website. The party will participate in the by-elections.
“The Commission wishes to assure the public, especially voters in the 12 states, that the 11th-hour judgment will not affect the election which will proceed tomorrow Saturday, 16th August, 2025 as scheduled.
“Meanwhile, the Commission will exercise its legitimate right of appeal under the law.”
Materials for the election were being moved to the various local government areas yesterday as the commission intensified its preparation for the polls.
The Commission has accredited 60 local and four foreign election observers including the European Union delegation whose names have been published by the commission to monitor the election.
INEC Chairman Prof. Mahmood Yakubu assured Nigerians on Thursday that the commission was fully prepared for the by-election, with personnel and sensitive materials being deployed.
In his speech during INEC’s last consultative meeting with political parties, Prof. Yakubu stated that deaths, resignations and other factors necessitated the declaration of vacancies and the need for by-elections.
In a statement on Thursday, INEC’s National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Sam Olumekun, gave assurances of INEC’s preparations for smooth conduct of today’s polls, noting that 3,553,659 registered voters are eligible to participate across 32 local government areas, 356 wards, and 6,987 polling units.
Altogether, 30,451 officials have been deployed nationwide, even as INEC prepares to resume nationwide Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise on Monday, August 18, with online pre-registration, followed by physical registration from August 25 at 811 INEC state and local government offices.
Police restrict movement in affected states
The Police authorities ordered restrictions on all forms of vehicular movement on roads, waterways, and other forms of transportation from 12 am to 6 pm today within localities where the by-elections are taking place.
The only people exempted are those on essential services including INEC Officials, accredited media and electoral observers, ambulances responding to medical emergencies and firefighters.
Police Inspector General Egbetokun directed the deployment of operational logistics to the affected local government areas in Anambra, Kano, Oyo, Taraba, Enugu, Adamawa, Edo, Jigawa, Kogi, Kano, Ogun, Zamfara and Niger states.
In order to ensure smooth elections, the IGP has also directed the deployment of senior officers of the rank of Assistant Inspector-General of Police and Commissioners of Police to assist state Commissioners of Police to ensure proper supervision of the electoral process for a smooth and hitch-free election.
Also deployed are officers and men of the Police Mobile Force, Special Intervention Squad, Force Intelligence Department and other tactical units.
Force Public Relations Officer, DCP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, who signed the statement, said all security aides to VIPs and escorts are not allowed to accompany their principals and politicians to polling booths and collation centres during the election.
He added: “State-established and owned security outfits/organisations, quasi-security units, and privately-owned guards and security outfits are also barred from participating in election security management.
“The Inspector General of Police hereby charges all officers deployed for this special duty to ensure compliance with NPF standard operational protocols for elections and further urges all citizens to be law abiding during and after the elections and assures that all necessary security arrangements have been emplaced to ensure their right to vote is unobstructed.”
Police commissioners in Oyo and Kogi States also announced their readiness for the day.
Kaduna’s civil society movement has thrown its support behind Governor Uba Sani, praising what it describes as “a blistering run of people-first achievements” transforming the state.
Speaking at a high-energy press conference in the historic Arewa House, the Kaduna Democrats League (KDL) hailed the governor for securing a $62.8 million grant from the Kuwait Fund to return thousands of out-of-school children to classrooms and revamp public education infrastructure.
The group also commended the awarding of 10 strategic road contracts across key local government areas, alongside a ₦3.5 billion compensation package for affected residents — proof, they said, that “development without displacement is possible.”
KDL’s Director of Public Affairs, Khadija Mohammed, listed other notable feats: a record ₦19.5 billion internally generated revenue in Q1 2025; the introduction of Compressed Biogas (CBG) buses for affordable, eco-friendly urban transport; distribution of 400 trucks of free fertilizer to 100,000 smallholder farmers; and the resettlement of banditry victims with 500 fully furnished homes, schools, hospitals, and clean water facilities in partnership with the State of Qatar.
She also described a ₦100 billion investment aimed at ending decades-long water scarcity in parts of Kaduna as a landmark intervention.
“Governor Uba Sani has moved Kaduna from a state of excuses to a state of results,” Mohammed declared. “We will defend this progress against detractors who seek to drag us back to the era of neglect.”
The group urged citizens, media, and policymakers to “keep the momentum alive” and protect the gains made so far, insisting that Kaduna is “not just working — it’s winning.”
Two years into his administration as the Executive Governor of Kaduna State in the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency, Governor Uba Sani, hit the ground running and has so far built the critical momentum of properly re-directing the political and socio-economic vision and trajectories of Kaduna State. He has restored relative security, peace, and harmony while he is grappling with what I call “the Burden of inherited complications of debt, toxic ethno-religious tensions, and insecurity”. Indeed, so far so good, despite the daunting challenges, Kaduna State is fast reclaiming its pride of place in Nigeria under the leadership of Governor Uba Sani.
Restoring relative Security, Peace, and Harmony in Kaduna State
In the past two years, Governor Uba Sani has demonstrated a clear understanding of his mandate. By applying a high level of emotional intelligence, bridge building, and his understanding of the political and socio-economic dynamics of Kaduna State, he has been able to significantly dilute the insecurity, toxic ethno-tribal, and religious tensions, and consequently scale down the animosities and communal clashes. We observed with admiration, as he constructively engaged the critical stakeholders in Kaduna across political, religious, ethnic, and divides, including; former Governors of Kaduna State, political leaders, traditional leaders, religious leaders, business leaders, academics, professionals, and from all walks of life at grassroot levels to ensure that the root causes of the issues are addressed from top to bottom and across the strata in all the Local Government Areas and hinterlands of Kaduna State.
The governor has been measured, respectful, and statesmanly in his rhetoric, utterances, engagements, and behaviors, because he understands the importance of those virtues as a Governor of a State that is diverse, and has been polarized with scars of mutual suspicion, concerns of marginalization, and the attendant insecurities. We are all witnesses of the significant reduction of breakdown of law and order due to ethnic and religious battles, which have threatened the existence of such a beautiful, peaceful, hospitable, highly resourceful, strategic, and one of the most diverse States in Nigeria.
Where there were issues, for example, the unfortunate incident that occurred in Tudun Biri, Governor Uba Sani did not escalate the situation with vile rhetoric or impulsive political self-preservation activities. He responded like a strategic leader by directly engaging the victims, not with blame or threats, but with empathy and a sense of responsibility. He also sought the support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, as the leader of the Country, and he engaged all the critical stakeholders like the National Security Advisor, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, the Armed Forces, traditional, religious and community leaders etc. to ensure that the people at Tudun Biri were provided all the necessary support at that sensitive and crucial time. Truly, that was one of the defining moments of Governor Uba Sani’s administration – a true test of his leadership qualities. In my opinion, he did well, given the circumstances, especially with his follow-ups of keeping tabs on communities that were affected by conflicts or disasters across Kaduna State. Indeed, authenticity and consistency define the character of a leader.
Looking back at where we are coming from, I am very happy, along with other teeming Nigerians, that Kaduna State is more peaceful than it was 10 years before Governor Uba Sani took over the leadership of the State. What a relief! So far, so good.
The challenge of insecurity has been a lingering national issue in Nigeria for over 16 years, which is one of the critical challenges inherited by the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and State Governors across Nigeria. Therefore, Federal, State, and Local Governments all have roles to play to tackle insecurity at all levels. Prior to the administration of Governor Uba Sani, we were all aware of the escalating level of insecurity in terms of kidnappings, banditry, religious extremism, and other forms of terrorism in and around Kaduna State.
Despite the multi-dimensional challenges, upon resumption in office, Governor Uba Sani proceeded with the agility, commitment, and passion to deliver the people’s mandate. He proceeded to formulate a strategy to sidestep all the booby traps and has so far been effectively delivering his mandate. It is evident that the level of insecurity in the State has significantly reduced, with the rescue of kidnapped people, elimination of terrorists, reclaiming of communities and farmlands hitherto taken over by criminals and terrorists, and recent surrender of some of the bandits. Citizens and residents are gradually returning to their communities. All these are due to effective stakeholder management, people’s skills, and relationship management by Governor Uba Sani.
Dealing with The Burden of Inherited Debt
Despite the debt burden of $587m, and N85bn Debts, as well as 115 Contract Liabilities, based on which N7 Billion out of the N10 billion Federal Allocation for the state in the month of March was being deducted to service the state’s debt; Mr. Governor, has crafted a strategy of how to avoid the booby trap of debt to continue building infrastructure, investing in human capital development, providing interventions in times of conflicts and disasters, alleviating poverty, paying salaries, pensions and welfare of workers in Kaduna State including the increased minimum wage. Kaduna State is one of the States in Nigeria that pays the minimum wage. Therefore, it is important to note the prudence with which Mr. Governor is delivering such critical projects.
Economic Recovery and Development
Infrastructural Development
Infrastructure is the backbone of economic and social development, and Governor Uba Sani clearly understands that. This is why he immediately embarked on critical infrastructure development across all 23 local government areas of Kaduna State, while also completing some of the ongoing projects started by his predecessor. New constructions and rehabilitations of major township roads, while placing priority on rural development with roads connecting local governments and communities, and feeder roads, all spanning over 1,000 Kilometers; construction and rehabilitation of schools, hospitals, provision of clean water, etc. are all ongoing, to ensure that no part or people of Kaduna State are left behind.
Economic Diversification Initiatives
Understanding that economic diversification is a critical success factor for economic recovery and growth. Governor Uba Sani has undertaken various economic diversification initiatives, and some milestones and impacts have been achieved so far, which include the following:
Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones (SAPZ): In April (4 months ago), Kaduna was the first State in Nigeria to key into the $510 billion Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones initiative by the African Development Bank. The objective of this project is to transform Nigeria’s rural areas into thriving economies, ensure improved food security, boost the agriculture value chain in production, processing, value addition, and build export capacity, while creating jobs for millions of Nigerians
Large Budget for Agriculture: Mr. Governor demonstrates the premium he places of Agriculture as a fulcrum of economic diversification by significantly increasing the budgetary provision in agriculture, from N1.4 billion when he took over as Governor of Kaduna to N74 billion for this year. The investment difference is clear, as the impacts will certainly be huge.
Moreover, His Excellency has secured Foreign and Local investment commitments in Manufacturing, Solid Minerals, and Power, which will catalyze the productive sector of the economy of Kaduna State to reawaken the glory days of Kaduna as a manufacturing hub in Nigeria, which will also support national economic recovery.
Foreign Investments: Two days ago, the Nigerian Bureau of Statistics (NBS) stated that the Federal Capital Territory (Abuja has overtaken Lagos in terms of Foreign Direct Investments Destinations in Nigeria. Interestingly, Kaduna State is listed as one of the only 5 out of 36 States and the FCT in Nigeria that attracted Foreign Direct Investments in the Q1 of this year. They are: Federal Capital Territory attracted $3.04bn, Lagos attracted $2.54bn, Ogun State with $7.95m, Oyo with $7.81m, and Kaduna with $4.06m. This achievement is also indicative of a secure, peaceful, and conducive environment for living and business. Kudos to Governor Uba Sani.
Human Capital Development and Youth Empowerment:
Four days ago, Mr. Governor signed a $25.35 million concessionary loan secured by the Federal Government from the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development as part of President Tinubu’s youth empowerment and social development strategy to take our teeming out-of-school children back to school. This is one of the most important focus areas of Governor Uba Sani, given that northern Nigeria has over 10million out-of-school children and youth, with the attendant, horrible socio-economic consequences.
Additionally, Governor Uba Sani has made massive investments in upgrading public primary and secondary schools, ensuring that every child in Kaduna has equal opportunity for a better life.
Conclusion
This episode is not enough for me to espouse the achievements so far made by Governor Uba Sani midway into his administration. Suffice it to say that from a dashboard view, it is clear that Governor Uba Sani is one of the few performing and outstanding State Governors in Nigeria, at a time that we are calling for more good governance, not only at the federal level but also at the State levels, as rightly stated by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. That is why I find it necessary to also encourage the governors that are doing well so that they can be motivated do more.
