The Northern States Governors Forum has reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, citing significant achievements in infrastructure development, security improvements, and economic reforms across the region.
The renewed endorsement comes as the administration approaches its second anniversary in office, with northern leaders expressing satisfaction with the fulfillment of key campaign promises made to their region.
Chairman of the Forum and Governor of Gombe State, Inuwa Yahaya, reaffirmed the commitment at the opening of a two-day interactive session organized by the Ahmadu Bello Memorial Foundation in Kaduna, where prominent political, traditional, and business leaders from across Northern Nigeria gathered to assess the president’s performance.
The high-level meeting, convened at the historic Arewa House in Kaduna State, provided a platform for comprehensive evaluation of the administration’s delivery on electoral promises.
Inuwa said the session titled ‘Assessing Electoral Promises: Fostering Government-Citizen Engagement for National Unity’ represents a vital step in strengthening democratic accountability.
The Gombe State governor emphasized that the gathering was designed to move beyond political rhetoric and focus on concrete assessment of government performance, particularly regarding commitments made during the 2023 presidential campaign.
The northern governors’ endorsement is particularly significant given the region’s crucial role in Tinubu’s electoral victory.
“When candidate Bola Ahmed Tinubu stood before us, he made specific commitments to Northern Nigeria. The North believed in his vision and delivered over 60% of the votes that brought him to power,” he noted. This overwhelming support from the North proved decisive in securing Tinubu’s presidency, making the region’s continued backing essential for the administration’s political stability.
Governor Yahaya highlighted numerous infrastructure projects currently under implementation as evidence of the administration’s commitment to northern development.
He listed several key projects currently under implementation, including the Abuja-Kaduna-Kano Expressway, the Kano-Katsina-Maradi rail line, the rehabilitation of the Kaduna Refinery, the Abuja-Kaduna-Kano Gas Pipeline, and continued oil drilling at the Kolmani Oil Fields. These major infrastructure initiatives represent billions of naira in federal investment across the northern states, addressing long-standing development gaps in transportation, energy, and industrial capacity.
The Abuja-Kaduna-Kano Expressway project, in particular, stands out as a transformative infrastructure initiative that will significantly improve connectivity between major northern commercial centers. The highway is expected to reduce travel time, enhance trade flows, and stimulate economic activity along the corridor. Similarly, the Kano-Katsina-Maradi rail line represents a strategic investment in cross-border trade, potentially positioning Nigeria as a key player in regional commerce with neighboring Niger Republic.
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The rehabilitation of the Kaduna Refinery has generated particular excitement among northern stakeholders, as it promises to restore the facility to operational capacity and reduce Nigeria’s dependence on imported petroleum products.
Stakeholders consider the refinery’s restoration crucial for enhancing energy security, creating jobs in the region, and supporting the administration’s broader economic diversification agenda.”
The Gombe governor further highlighted emerging infrastructure projects, including the proposed Sokoto-Badagry superhighway, improvements in inter-state road networks, agricultural value chain initiatives, and healthcare upgrades. The Sokoto-Badagry superhighway represents one of the most ambitious infrastructure projects in Nigeria’s recent history, designed to connect the northern and southern regions through a modern expressway that will facilitate trade and movement of people and goods.
Security improvements across the northern region have also contributed to the governors’ renewed confidence in the Tinubu administration. The region has experienced notable progress in addressing insurgency, banditry, and other security challenges that have plagued communities for years. Enhanced military operations, improved intelligence gathering, and increased security funding have yielded measurable results in terms of reduced attacks and improved stability in previously volatile areas.
The governors’ forum acknowledged the administration’s focus on agricultural development, which is particularly relevant to the predominantly agrarian northern economy. Various agricultural value chain initiatives have been launched to support farmers, improve productivity, and enhance food security. These programs include improved access to fertilizers, seeds, and modern farming equipment, alongside initiatives to strengthen agricultural financing and market access for farmers.
Healthcare improvements have also featured prominently in the administration’s northern agenda. Upgrades to healthcare facilities, expansion of primary healthcare coverage, and improved medical equipment deployment have enhanced healthcare delivery across the region. These initiatives are seen as crucial for addressing health challenges and improving quality of life for northern communities.
The economic reform agenda has received particular praise from northern leaders, who recognize the long-term benefits of structural adjustments despite short-term challenges.
Experts and stakeholders acknowledge reforms in areas such as fuel subsidy removal, foreign exchange management, and fiscal policy as necessary steps toward building a more sustainable economy, even though these reforms require careful management to minimize adverse effects on citizens.
He stressed that these reflect a clear policy focus on uplifting the North’s economic and social landscape. This comprehensive approach to northern development encompasses multiple sectors and demonstrates the administration’s commitment to inclusive growth that benefits all regions of the country.
The renewed support from northern governors comes at a critical time when the administration faces various challenges, including economic pressures from recent reforms and ongoing security concerns in some areas. The backing of northern leaders provides crucial political capital and demonstrates confidence in the administration’s direction and priorities.
The interactive session in Kaduna also served as an opportunity for constructive dialogue between government officials and various stakeholders, including traditional rulers, business leaders, and civil society representatives. This engagement reflects the administration’s commitment to participatory governance and responsiveness to citizen concerns.
As the Tinubu administration continues to implement its ambitious agenda, the sustained support from northern governors provides a strong foundation for continued collaboration and development partnerships.
Key stakeholders in the North recognize and appreciate the administration’s efforts to fulfill campaign promises and address regional development needs, despite the challenges.”
The reaffirmation of support also signals continuity in the political alliance that brought Tinubu to power, potentially strengthening his position for future political endeavors and policy implementation. With northern governors standing firmly behind the administration, President Tinubu can proceed with confidence in implementing remaining aspects of his development agenda while building on the achievements already recorded across the northern region.