Uba Sani Says He Can Take a Bullet for Tinubu

Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani, has reaffirmed his support for President Bola Tinubu’s second-term ambition ahead of the 2027 general elections, declaring that he is ready to defend the president despite growing concerns over economic hardship in the country.

Sani made the declaration during an interview on Trust TV’s Daily Politics programme on Tuesday, stressing that his support for Tinubu was based on personal conviction, their longstanding relationship and the president’s contributions to democracy.

The governor said he had no regrets supporting Tinubu and would continue to stand by him until the end of his political journey.

“I have no apology supporting President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and I will continue to support him till the last minute,” Sani said.

When asked whether he was prepared to take a political bullet for the president, the governor expressed confidence that his decision to support Tinubu would eventually be justified.

He said he was convinced that future events would prove that his support for the president was the right decision.

Sani Recalls Relationship With Tinubu

The Kaduna governor traced his relationship with Tinubu to 1994, when both men were involved in efforts to restore democratic governance in Nigeria during military rule.

According to Sani, Tinubu’s involvement in the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO) and his support for pro-democracy activists during the military era contributed to his decision to support the president.

He noted that their shared commitment to democracy and the devolution of power had played an important role in shaping his opinion of Tinubu.

Sani also defended his support for the president by highlighting federal projects and initiatives he said had benefited Kaduna State under the current administration.

Among the projects he mentioned were the establishment of the Federal University of Applied Sciences in Southern Kaduna, the Federal University of Education in Zaria, the Federal University of Petroleum Resources in Rigachikun and the proposed conversion of Kaduna Polytechnic into a federal university of technology.

He also cited the reconstruction of the Kaduna-Birnin Gwari road as one of the projects expected to improve infrastructure and development in the state.

The governor insisted that these projects were benefits for the people of Kaduna State and should not be regarded as personal favours to him.

“The favour he has done is not to me, because he has not given me. It’s to the state,” he said.

Sani further pointed to the appointment of Kaduna indigenes to senior positions in the Federal Government as evidence that the state was adequately represented in Tinubu’s administration.

Governor Challenges Opposition Parties

Addressing concerns about whether northern voters would support Tinubu for another term despite the economic difficulties facing Nigerians, Sani challenged opposition parties to present credible alternatives to the president.

He argued that opposition politicians should go beyond criticising Tinubu and explain how their candidates would address the country’s challenges.

“When you say don’t vote for Asiwaju, you must bring an alternative,” the governor stated.

Sani acknowledged that poverty had become a serious concern across northern Nigeria but maintained that many of the region’s problems existed long before Tinubu became president.

He compared the situation to a building that had been neglected for years, making repairs more difficult and expensive.

According to him, earlier efforts to address the region’s development challenges could have prevented the current situation from becoming as severe as it is.

“If we had addressed this problem even before Asiwaju ever thought of becoming president, we wouldn’t be where we are,” he said.

The governor also criticised northern political leaders for failing to tackle the region’s longstanding challenges, insisting that they must accept responsibility rather than blame the current administration for every problem.

“The northerners are their own problem. We shouldn’t run away. The only way to help, I think, is for us to sit down and look at ourselves in the mirror, and accept that we are the problem,” Sani added.

Sani Speaks on Insecurity in Kaduna

On security concerns in Kaduna State, the governor admitted that insecurity remained a major challenge, particularly following attacks and other security incidents in the Millennium City area.

He disclosed that he had held discussions with military authorities and other security officials on the situation, adding that plans were underway to strengthen security in the affected area.

Sani’s comments come as political parties and their candidates intensify preparations for the 2027 general elections.

Economic hardship, rising poverty, insecurity and the performance of Tinubu’s administration are expected to remain major issues in the campaigns as the president seeks another term in office.