Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State has dismissed concerns that the newly formed opposition alliance poses any real challenge to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu or the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Speaking during an appearance on Politics Today, a political programme on Channels Television, the governor insisted that President Tinubu remains politically unshaken despite the creation of the National Opposition Coalition Group led by former Senate President David Mark.
“Let me make this clear and you can quote me: Asiwaju has no threat,” Sani asserted, addressing speculation that the new coalition could unsettle the APC.
He further argued that many of those backing the coalition lack a history of meaningful involvement in Nigeria’s pro-democracy struggle.
“Where were these people when we were on the frontlines fighting for democracy, justice, and rule of law?” the governor asked.
Sani went on to recount his personal involvement in the pro-democracy movement under the late legal icon Chief Gani Fawehinmi.
He said their activism during Nigeria’s return to civilian rule was not motivated by a thirst for political power, but by a desire for true democratic governance.
He recalled how they refused to participate in the transitional elections organised by then-Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, arguing that political space needed to be widened first.
“That’s why we went to court. Some of us challenged INEC because we believed more political options were needed,” he explained.
According to Sani, such efforts contributed to Nigeria’s eventual adoption of a multi-party political system.
He emphasized that Nigerians today are politically informed and will judge new movements based on the past records of their leaders.
“Nigerians are not easily deceived. They will ask, ‘What did you do when you were in government before? Why didn’t you solve these problems then?’” he stated.
Addressing concerns over northern dissatisfaction with Tinubu’s presidency, Sani argued that his work in Kaduna speaks for itself.
He noted that in 2023, 17 out of the state’s 23 local governments had poverty rates exceeding 70 percent. To address this, he signed an executive order promoting financial inclusion.
“We have now brought 2.5 million poor and underserved people, mainly from rural areas, into the financial system. They have access to savings, credit, and social support to help them grow,” he added.
Governor Sani concluded by reiterating his confidence in Tinubu’s administration and expressing no fear of opposition forces.