The Presidency has dismissed claims that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration is prioritising projects in the southern part of the country at the expense of the North, insisting that the government’s development agenda is inclusive and national in outlook.
The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Print Media, Abdul’aziz Abdul’aziz, stated this during an interactive session with journalists in Kano State, North West Nigeria, stressing that such perceptions are politically motivated and not backed by facts.
Abdul’aziz explained that rather than abandoning inherited projects in the North, President Tinubu sustained funding and accelerated their progress, showing his commitment to balanced national growth.
“If President Tinubu were biased, he could have halted several major projects in the North. Instead, he has continued funding them.
“The Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano (AKK) gas pipeline, which was below 50 percent when we came in, is now nearing completion. The Abuja-Kaduna-Kano expressway is progressing steadily, with the Zaria-Kano section almost completed,” he stated.
He also pointed to the ongoing Kano-Katsina-Maradi rail line, the Sokoto-Badagry superhighway, and preparations for the Port Harcourt-Maiduguri rail project as evidence of the administration’s determination to drive growth across the country.
Abdul’aziz described the continuation of inherited projects as a mark of patriotism and responsible governance.
Addressing the criticism of recent investments in the Lagos and Abuja airports, he explained that priority is given to national economic hubs for strategic reasons.
“This is not about favoritism. Lagos alone handles over 70 percent of Nigeria’s passenger traffic. Just as Heathrow in London or Dubai in the UAE serve as major hubs, Lagos must be developed to keep Nigeria competitive. Investing in these gateways benefits the entire country,” he explained.
On political opposition and emerging coalitions, Abdul’aziz said the President is focused on governance and not distracted by them.
“The people leading these so-called coalitions are mostly driven by personal grievances. Nigerians understand their motives and are not buying into their agenda. Leadership is about nation-building, not sharing the national pie,” he said.
The presidential aide highlighted reforms under the Tinubu administration, such as the removal of fuel subsidy and the introduction of a national student loan scheme, which he said demonstrates the President’s focus on long-term national prosperity rather than short-term political gain.
Abdul’aziz called on Nigerians to judge the administration’s efforts by the tangible progress on the ground and the benefits to the economy, assuring them that President Tinubu is committed to equitable development across all regions of the country.
PIAK