From Noah Ebije, Kaduna
Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani has warned his predecessor, Nasir El-Rufai, against misinforming the people of the state about projects executed by his administration and commissioned recently by President Bola Tinubu.
Governor Sani was disturbed by what he described as “bare-faced lies” disseminated by the former governor, who claimed in a national television interview that all the projects commissioned by President Tinubu were his achievements while in office.
A statement on Tuesday through his Chief Press Secretary, Ibraheem Musa, said Governor Sani insisted that his administration will not be distracted by misinformation or political bitterness from the opposition, adding that the focus is on serving the people of the State.
“The attention of the Kaduna State Government has been drawn to the bare-faced lies disseminated by the former Governor of Kaduna State, His Excellency, Malam Nasir El-Rufai, regarding the projects recently commissioned by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu during his visit to Kaduna.
“The Kaduna State Government remains steadfast in its commitment to good governance, transparency, and sustainable development. We will not be distracted by misinformation or political bitterness. Our focus is on serving the people of Kaduna State and building a united, inclusive, healthier, and more prosperous society—free from toxicity, discrimination, division, and exclusivity.
“In a widely circulated television interview, Malam El-Rufai falsely claimed that all the projects commissioned by Mr. President were initiated by his administration. This assertion is not only misleading but a blatant distortion of the truth. It is imperative to set the record straight. During his official visit to Kaduna State, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu commissioned three major projects:
“These include Institutes of Vocational Training and Skills Development, Bola Ahmed Tinubu Specialist Hospital, Kaduna, and 100 Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) Buses.
“The three Institutes of Vocational Training and Skills Development were fully initiated and completed by the administration of Governor Uba Sani, CON. These include: Abdulkadir Balarabe Musa Institute, Rigachikun; Col. Dangiwa Umar Institute, Soba; and Sir Patrick Ibrahim Yakowa Institute, Samaru Kataf.
“These institutes are pivotal to Governor Uba Sani’s human capital development agenda, designed to equip Kaduna’s youth with practical, future-ready skills. Collectively, they are projected to graduate at least 36,000 youths annually.
“The National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) has certified these institutions as the best-equipped skills development centres in Nigeria. According to NBTE Executive Secretary, Prof. Idris Bugaje, Kaduna State has emerged as the “hub of skills development in Nigeria.”
“He affirmed that no polytechnic or university of technology in the country matches the facilities and modern equipment found in the institutes at Rigachikun, Samaru Kataf, and Soba. This recognition is a direct outcome of Governor Uba Sani’s strategic investments in education and youth empowerment.
“The 100 CNG Buses are another initiative of Governor Uba Sani’s administration, launched to provide reliable and eco-friendly transportation while mitigating the impact of fuel subsidy removal. As part of the government’s social welfare commitment, workers, retirees, and students will enjoy free rides for the first six months, with substantially subsidised fares available to the general public thereafter.
“The Bola Ahmed Tinubu Specialist Hospital was originally conceived during the administration of His Excellency, Arc. Namadi Sambo, GCON. At the commissioning ceremony, Vice President Namadi Sambo openly acknowledged that three successive administrations failed to complete the hospital and commended Governor Uba Sani for his leadership and resolve in finally delivering the project.
“Upon assuming office, Governor Uba Sani found the hospital at just 53% completion. The structure had no medical equipment, despite the huge sums that had allegedly been spent. The uncompleted facility had become a symbol of waste, mismanagement, and abandonment.
“The completion and full equipping of the 300-bed Bola Ahmed Tinubu Specialist Hospital became a top priority in Governor Uba Sani’s broader healthcare revitalisation programme. He also launched the rehabilitation and upgrade of several General Hospitals across the state, many of which had been left in disrepair. Today, these revitalised health facilities are enhancing access to quality healthcare and contributing to the reduction of multidimensional poverty in Kaduna State.
“The Bola Ahmed Tinubu Specialist Hospital stands as a signature achievement of Governor Uba Sani’s administration. He gave it his all—failure was never an option. The project’s successful completion has earned widespread acclaim, and President Tinubu was effusive in his praise of Governor Uba Sani’s transformative impact on the healthcare sector.
“In light of these tangible and verifiable achievements, Malam Nasir El-Rufai’s resort to distortions and falsehoods is regrettable but not surprising. While he is entitled to his opinions, facts remain sacred. Governor Uba Sani has succeeded where others faltered. No amount of revisionism can rewrite the truth,” the statement said.
