It was a colourful outing, the first in this season, and so far, the most impressive. In fact, it was the mother of all rallies. A standard had been set. Subsequent campaigns should now strive to either rival or surpass the Kaduna multitude.
The crowd was huge. It was not a rented legion. The kick-off of the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential campaign in the political headquarter of the North was intimidating. Opposition parties, particularly the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC) combined, can never live up to that billing, underscoring the wide gap between the ruling party and the crisis-ridden, trembling platforms on the edge.
That busy weekend, opposition leaders were idle. They were in deep slumber, snoring, not knowing the next step to take. Almost two months after the umpire blew the whistle for campaigns, they are bogged down by internal squabbles over the composition of campaign councils. In bitterness, their spin doctors and restless social media miscreants were on the prowl, twisting facts and figures, painting a false figure to discredit a successful outing in the Northwest.
From the seven states of the Northwest – Sokoto, Zamfara, Kebbi, Katsina, Kano and Kaduna – came loyal party members, followers and supporters to listen to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, in acknowledgment of what his administration has done for the geo-political zone.
The rally was orderly. There was no atom of unruly behaviour on the part of numerous youths in permanent joyous mood. From sunrise to sunset, there was no dispersal midway. Party faithful and admirers were in one accord, ready for the continuation of the mobilisation for next year’s poll. They gave the President their endorsement and assurance, trusting in his promise to do more for the vast region in his second term.
From the airport to the Kaduna Township Stadium, it was carnival all through. Billboards, banners and flyers, branded vehicles and a sea of heads attested to the grand preparations by the hosts – the six governors taking the masses of the Northwest through the journey to prosperity.
The stadium was filled to the brim. Yet, more people were outside, stretching through the adjacent streets leading to the main bowl.
Itinerant drummers, cultural troupes and youths in traditional regalia provided entertainment, singing and dancing as they showcased the rich culture of the North.
The atmosphere became more electrifying as President Tinubu stormed the arena, along with party leaders, governors, lawmakers and other aides. The album, Omo Ologo, waxed by Dauda Adamu Kahutu, widely known as Rarara, threw the crowd into a frenzy.
APC leaders exuded confidence. There was no reason to be timid. There governors demonstrated a collective determination for victory and survival. History will be kind to them for giving their voice to zoning and rotation in the spirit of unity, fairness and justice.
The achievements of the federal and state governments in the six states are visible. Contrary to the insinuation that the North, which holds the race, has turned its back, the people trooped out, with enthusiasm, to indicate their readiness to re-elect the Commander-In-Chief.
The display of affection for the ruling party halted the pattern of bullying by few elite who have chosen to exploit ethnicity as a tool. Their plot is to flaunt the real or imagined numerical superiority of the region to harass the South, even when it is obvious that they do not have the mandate of the majority in the North to speak for the people. In the final analysis, the armchair critics set themselves as adversaries of the president without justification beyond envy and bile, despite their lack of capacity to dictate how to vote or how not to vote.
No doubt, the president deserves North’s votes because his administration has implemented laudable infrastructure, agricultural, educational, and security initiatives across the region. The North enjoys the best of the roads in the country. The administration has paid attention to road construction and rehabilitation. During the campaign flag off, the completed sections of the Abuja–Kaduna Highway was inaugurated. Work is ongoing on the Sokoto–Badagry Expressway, the Kano–Maiduguri Road, and over 30 other regional road projects. Works Minister Dave Umahi, who flagged off the dualisation of the Lambata-Bida-Mokwa-Makera-Kontagora Federal Highway in Bida, Niger State, said the administration is constructing 5,500 kilometres of roads in the region. It cannot be disputed by the opposition.
Some critics who compare Northern infrastructure to Southern projects like the Lagos Coastal Highway insinuate an imaginary lopsidedness. But Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, APC National Chairman, listed key road projects across Northern Nigeria to prove that the Tinubu administration has commissioned more road mileage in the North than any previous administration. TrackExec Orders
Yilwatda said: “When I look around the North, somebody told me yesterday that because of the Coastal Road, President Bola Tinubu has done so much in the South and nothing in the North. I told him: just the road from Abuja to Kano is 441 kilometres. The Maiduguri to Kano corridor is about 560 kilometres. Put those two together, and that’s over 1,000 kilometres.
“The road from Sokoto to Illela down to Kebbi and Kwara is nearly 700 kilometres on its own. Add that up, and you are looking at almost 2,000 kilometres of road infrastructure. Consider Danja to Zaria, Kano to Daura, Benue to Oweto Bridge into Abuja, and Akwanga to Maiduguri.
“When I put the figures together, roads currently under construction or procured in the North alone stand at slightly over 3,000 kilometres.”
The rail facilities are being improved upon. These are visible in the funding for the Kaduna–Kano Rail Line and the Kano–Maradi Rail Line, in addition to the urban transit initiatives like the Abuja Metro and proposed Kaduna Light Rail.
The administration has shown commitment towards delivering the the 614-kilometer Ajaokuta–Kaduna–Kano (AKK) Gas Pipeline, the Gwagwalada Power Plant, and solar installations like the ABIBA Solar Station in Kaduna.
With the deregulation of the power sector, northern governors can now access gas through the AKK project to build independent power plants, establish local grids, and power industrial corridors like Kano’s Export Processing Zone.
“That same gas will provide Compressed Natural Gas (CNG), domestic cooking gas, and raw materials for fertilizer plants—benefiting Northern Nigeria more than any other region.
The North is not a lazy region. It’s people prioritise agriculture for food security. The Tinubu administration has built support for the various agricultural initiatives through mechanisation and facilitation of inputs. It has partnered with John Deere to supply 2,000 tractors annually over five years via the Bank of Industry. Free fertilizers and grains (including 200,000 metric tonnes of grains from strategic reserves) have also been distribute to the Northern states.
The Federal Government has also supported regional irrigation and value-chain projects, including the Kano River Irrigation Project and a $158.15 million value-chain programmes across nine Northern states.
President Tinubu’s avowed commitment to education and human capital development is not in doubt.
More universities have been approved for the region as part of efforts to facilitate access to education by the growing population. Indeed, the North has benefitted immensely from the Student Loans. The administration has extended billions of naira in financial support to northern youths through the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND). There are testimonies from beneficiaries. The Initiative has halted drop out by indigent students and motivated increased enrolment. No doubt, youths in the North are the largest beneficiaries of the initiative that has reduced educational marginalisation.
The North has also benefitted from the reinvigorated social intervention programme targeted at poor households. The National Social Register (NSR) was expanded to incorporate millions of vulnerable households across Northern states. Also, the region has benefitted from the digital still development through the three Million Technical Talent (3MTT) programme targeted at Northern youths.
Health, particularly primary health, has also been defended through the disbursement of over ₦20 billion to support more than 4,362 Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs) across the 19 Northern states and the FCT. This is in addition to the upgrading of the tertiary hospitals.
The Federal Government has also boosted environmental protection through the Great Green Wall (NAGGW) and erosion control projects (NEWMAP) for combating desertification and land degradation.
President Tinubu has waged war against terror. Bandit enclaves and criminal networks in North-West – Katsina, Kebbi, Sokoto, Zamfara, Niger, and Kwara – are being uprooted. There is no hiding place for terrorists. TrackExec Orders
The mobilisation should be sustained. Opposition propaganda should be effectively tackled. Voters should be encouraged to collect their voter cards and troop out to vote.
