Minister tackles Kwankwaso over claims of Tinubu marginalizing the North

By Maduabuchi Nmeribeh/Kano

The Minister of State for Housing and Urban Development, Abdullahi Yusuf Ata, has described as, “baseless and empty lies” claims attributed to the 2023 presidential candidate of the New Nigerian Peoples Party (NNPP), Senator Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso, that the Federal Government, under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is biased against the North on the distribution of national resources and infrastructural development.

Kwankwaso, during a stakeholders’ meeting to articulate the position of Kano state on the proposed review of the 1999 constitution, organized at Coronation Hall, Government House, last Thursday, lamented what he described as lopsided distribution of national resources, claiming that the North was being marginalized.

But in a swift reaction, Ata, in a statement signed by his Aide, Seyi Olorunsola, and made available to our correspondent, Friday night, vehemently disagreed with Kwankwaso, maintaining that the North has benefitted hugely under President Tinubu’s administration.

Atah in the rebuttal dismissed with Kwankwaso’s claim that the Federal Government under President Tinubu has concentrated infrastructure development in “a certain part of the country” — an apparent reference to the Southern region.

According to Ata, “such sweeping allegations are disappointing and unfortunate from a statesman of Kwankwaso’s standing, especially given his failure to furnish any factual data or statistics in support.”

Ata emphasized that, “there is no empirical basis for these accusations. The former Governor is clearly seeking political relevance. Kano indigenes and Nigerians should dismiss his claims.”

The Minister insisted that infrastructure development across the North under President Tinubu’s administration is significant and demonstrable.

He highlighted key projects to include: the Abuja–Kaduna–Zaria–Kano dual carriageway, initiated under the Buhari administration and vigorously continued under President Tinubu—with substantial monthly funding mobilised in 2024.

According to him, “by March 2025, over N50 billion had been committed, and the project is scheduled for completion in 2026.

“The Kano–Maiduguri dualcarriageway, now essentially completed, linking Kano to Jigawa, Bauchi, Yobe and Borno states, enhancing trade corridors and regional integration.

“Pending and awarded contracts for dualisation of strategic corridors such as the Akwanga–Jos–Bauchi–Gombe highway, and the massive Sokoto–Lagos Superhighway.

“These corridors span multiple Northern states and address rural access and economic linkage. In addition, the President himself has restated commitments to nationwide infrastructure inclusivity.”

The Minister further stated that: “On April 14, 2025, at the inauguration of Section 2 of the Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano corridor, Tinubu reaffirmed his vision to complete critical road infrastructure projects across Nigeria, explicitly citing the vital link between South and North connectivity.

“On June 5 and 6, 2025, he virtually flagged off key Northern road projects—such as the Kano–Kongolam Road, Yakasai–Zalli links, and rural access roads—underscoring that these are designed to boost economic productivity, farmtomarket logistics, and integration.

“Moreover, according to findings published in October 2024 by the Federal Ministry of Works, over 52.4 % of Tinubu’s legacy road projects by kilometrage are located in Northern Nigeria. ”

“Of 82 Sukuk-funded ongoing projects, 45 are in the North versus 37 in the South. Emergency intervention and road taxcredit schemes likewise show a higher distribution of infrastructure deployment in Northern states.”

Atah categorically rejected Kwankwaso’s claim about a “deplorable” state of the Abuja–Kaduna–Kano highway.

He pointed out that, “the road has been under reconstruction for nearly seven years, during which Kwankwaso remained silent.”

The Minister also questioned, “how a political figure whose influence is largely confined to the Kano area—and who suffered defeat in the 2023 presidential race — can speak of national imbalance.”

The Minister, who was a former Speaker of Kano state House of Assembly, contrasted Kwankwaso’s narrative with the overwhelming welcome President Tinubu recently received in Kano during his condolence visit to the late Alhaji Aminu Alhassan Dantata’s family.

 Ata, however, urged Nigerians to, “disregard the political theatrics of Kwankwaso,” reaffirming that, “under President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, infrastructure development is guided by fairness, equity and national cohesion.”

He called for continued support for President Tinubu’s policies, “which are meant to take root and transform the country for the benefit of all citizens.”