Follow Us on Google
From Noah Ebije, Kaduna
Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani used the All Progressives Congress (APC) North-West Zonal Congress in Kaduna on Wednesday to project himself as a unifying force within the ruling party, while strongly defending President Bola Tinubu’s reform agenda and consolidating regional political gains.
Addressing party leaders, delegates and stakeholders, the governor framed the congress as both a test and a reaffirmation of the APC’s democratic identity.
“This Zonal Congress stands as a powerful affirmation of the APC’s identity as a truly democratic and grassroots-driven political party,” he said, adding that leadership within the party is “freely chosen through transparent processes that respect the will of the people.”
He described hosting the congress as “a profound honour and a deep sense of responsibility”, underscoring the state’s strategic role in shaping the party’s future.
A key highlight of his remarks was the high-profile reception of new entrants into the All Progressives Congress, particularly Governors Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano State and Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State.
Sani personally welcomed them, signalling both magnanimity and political calculation.
“We receive you with open arms, in a spirit of unity, mutual respect, and shared destiny,” he said, describing their defection as “momentous” and vital to strengthening the party’s national outlook.
In a move aimed at easing tensions within party ranks, Sani reassured new and old members alike that the APC operates on equality rather than hierarchy.
“Whether you joined years ago or today, you stand on equal footing with all members,” he declared. “This is a Party where commitment, contribution, and conviction, not chronology, define relevance.”
Beyond internal party matters, Sani aligned himself firmly with Tinubu’s administration, offering a robust defence of ongoing economic and structural reforms.
He praised the president’s leadership as marked by “courage, clarity of vision, and an unyielding commitment to repositioning Nigeria for sustainable progress.”
Other News
Sani highlighted what he described as tangible outcomes of the “Renewed Hope Agenda”, pointing to gains in agriculture, energy and economic policy.
According to him, “targeted interventions are driving productivity” in farming, while reforms in the oil and gas sector are “enhancing efficiency” and securing the country’s energy future.
He also emphasised social interventions such as the student loan scheme, noting that it has “opened new doors of opportunity for our young people… ensuring that financial barriers do not stand in the way of educational advancement.”
On infrastructure, Sani argued that federal investments are already reshaping economic activity. “Massive investments in roads, rail, and energy are reconnecting communities, stimulating commerce, and unlocking new economic opportunities,” he said, insisting that the impact is visible across the country.
Importantly, Sani localised these national achievements, presenting Kaduna and the wider North-West as direct beneficiaries.
“Security has improved, farmers are returning to their fields, markets are thriving again, and confidence is steadily being restored in our communities,” he stated, an assertion clearly aimed at reinforcing public confidence in APC governance.
The governor also used his platform to send a message of discipline and cohesion within party ranks.
He urged delegates to rise above divisions and conduct themselves responsibly, stressing that the congress was about more than leadership selection.
“This Congress is not only about leadership selection; it is about strengthening our unity, deepening our structures, and aligning our strategies for the future,” Sani said.
He further urged delegates to take the government’s message back to their constituencies. “Tell our people that the North-West is on a path of progress and that greater opportunities lie ahead,” he said.
Deputy Senate President Barau Jibril, governors from the seven North-West states, Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas, ministers and top government officials from the region, as well as other party leaders, were all in attendance.
