In a blunt and revealing interview, Kaduna State Governor, Senator Uba Sani, has openly declared that northern Nigerian politicians have failed their people woefully and must apologise publicly for plunging the region into poverty, underdevelopment, and hopelessness.
Speaking on Trust TV, the governor held nothing back as he called out past and present political leaders from northern Nigeria — including himself — for decades of neglect, corruption, and exclusionary policies that have left the region poorer, despite massive investments and political dominance.
“Anyone who has held political office in northern Nigeria in the last 20 years needs to look in the mirror and apologise. We let our people down,” Uba Sani declared.
He said the failure of leadership has led to chronic underdevelopment, high poverty rates, and worsening insecurity in the region, despite northern politicians having held key national positions over the years — including the presidency, vice presidency, and critical ministerial appointments.
The governor, a former senator, acknowledged his own complicity in the system, stating that northern Nigeria’s suffering is not new but a result of 20 years of systemic failure.
“The problems of northern Nigeria didn’t start two years ago. I chaired a Senate committee on banking and finance. I know how many millions of people are financially excluded,” he revealed.
He accused past administrations — including the one under former President Muhammadu Buhari — of failing to address the real needs of the people. Despite hundreds of billions being spent on social intervention programmes, the majority of the northern population was excluded due to lack of access to formal financial systems.
“Seventy percent of northern Nigeria’s masses were financially excluded. That’s why the billions spent under Buhari made no difference,” he said.
Governor Sani also cautioned against hypocritical criticisms from politicians who contributed to the current rot in the system but now parade themselves as saints.
“I’ve no problem with honest critics, but those who were part of the rot and now say they’ve repented? That’s hypocrisy,” he fired.
The governor emphasized the need for truthful leadership, constructive criticism, and a genuine effort to rebuild trust with the masses — not political gimmicks or dishonest narratives aimed at reclaiming power.
This rare moment of accountability by a sitting governor has stirred debate across political circles, with many questioning whether other northern leaders will follow suit and admit responsibility for the region’s woes.
