Presidential aide Sunday Dare has publicly endorsed Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani's declaration of unwavering support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, saying other political leaders should demonstrate similar conviction by speaking openly about what they consider the achievements of the administration.
Dare, the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communications, made the remarks in a post on X reported on Thursday, October 29, 2026. His comments followed an interview in which Sani said he was prepared to take a bullet for Tinubu because of the federal government's contributions to development in Kaduna State.
The presidential adviser praised the governor's willingness to defend Tinubu's record, describing his position as evidence of political conviction. He argued that more governors and senior political figures should publicly acknowledge projects and policies they believe have benefited their states and the wider country.
“Gov. Uba Sani is on fire! He is not backing down,” Dare wrote, commending the governor's public support for the president.
Dare urged other political leaders to participate more actively in communicating the administration's achievements. He called for a collective effort to present the government's record, particularly as political activities intensify ahead of Nigeria's 2027 general elections.
“Let others in his capacity also speak up,” he stated, calling for what he described as a united effort to explain Tinubu's work to Nigerians.
The presidential aide also endorsed Sani's declaration that he could risk his life for the president, suggesting that the Kaduna governor was not alone in holding such strong convictions.
“Governor Uba Sani says he is ready to take the bullet for Mr. President. That is a man of conviction. Many are ready to do the same for Mr. President,” Dare declared.
He maintained that individuals who had previously worked with Tinubu, as well as those currently serving in his administration, understood the president's approach to governance and believed in his commitment to economic development.
Dare further argued that Tinubu was pursuing difficult but necessary policies intended to strengthen Nigeria's economy. He reiterated his commitment to defending the administration's political mandate and supporting its development agenda.
The exchange followed Sani's appearance on Trust TV's Daily Politics programme, during which the governor explained why he strongly supported Tinubu's re-election bid.
Asked whether he would take a bullet for the president, Sani responded affirmatively, saying his loyalty was motivated by what he considered substantial benefits delivered to Kaduna rather than personal favours.
“I can take it,” the governor said, explaining that his primary consideration was the interest of Kaduna State.
Sani cited federal appointments, educational institutions, road construction and transportation projects as evidence of the president's support for his state. He argued that these interventions justified his public defence of Tinubu and his administration.
Among the projects highlighted was the reconstruction of the 123-kilometre Kaduna–Birnin Gwari road. Sani said Tinubu had promised to rehabilitate the route during the 2022 presidential campaign and that ₦178 billion had subsequently been released for the project.
The governor also referenced federal support for the reconstruction of other major roads connecting communities in Kaduna and neighbouring states. He maintained that improved transportation infrastructure would strengthen economic activities and facilitate movement across the region.
Education featured prominently in his account. Sani credited Tinubu with approving new federal tertiary institutions and institutional upgrades in Kaduna, including proposals involving universities in Kachia, Zaria and Rigachikun, as well as Kaduna Polytechnic.
The governor also highlighted what he described as federal backing for a proposed light rail system covering approximately 50 kilometres between Rigachikun and Sabon Tasha.
According to Sani, the project involves an estimated $865 million investment, with funding arrangements already advanced. These figures represent the governor's public account and do not, by themselves, establish the project's final expenditure or completion status.
He further praised the president for supporting Kaduna's compressed natural gas public transportation programme. Sani said federal assistance enabled the state to expand its planned fleet from 50 buses to 100.
The governor claimed that the buses had carried approximately 5.2 million passengers over 18 months and generated substantial transport savings for commuters. Independent assessment of those claimed savings was not provided in the interview.
Sani also cited the appointment of Kaduna indigenes to prominent federal positions, including Christopher Musa in defence, Balarabe Abbas Lawal in environment and Shehu Dikko in sports administration.
He presented these appointments as evidence that Kaduna had benefited from its relationship with the federal government, although the political significance of appointments remains distinct from measurable development outcomes.
Dare's endorsement reflects a broader effort by presidential officials and governing party figures to defend Tinubu's economic reforms and infrastructure programme.
Earlier in October, Dare rejected criticism of the administration's economic performance, arguing that the president had undertaken difficult structural reforms to address longstanding weaknesses in public finances.
He highlighted the removal of petrol subsidies, changes to foreign exchange management, the Nigerian Education Loan Fund and measures intended to increase resources available for infrastructure and social programmes.
The presidency has consistently maintained that these policies are necessary to improve fiscal sustainability, attract investment and establish stronger foundations for long-term economic growth.
However, the reforms have also generated substantial public debate because of their effects on household expenses, transportation costs and purchasing power.
Critics have questioned whether the economic benefits claimed by the administration are reaching ordinary Nigerians quickly enough, particularly amid continuing concerns about living costs, employment opportunities and insecurity.
Supporters argue that reversing longstanding economic distortions requires time and that government performance should be evaluated through infrastructure delivery, investment and institutional reforms.
These competing assessments are likely to remain important as Nigeria approaches the next presidential election, when voters will have an opportunity to evaluate the administration's record alongside the proposals of opposition candidates.
Sani's outspoken support is particularly significant because Kaduna is an influential state in the North-West, a region whose electoral preferences have historically played an important role in presidential contests.
His defence of Tinubu also illustrates how governors can become prominent advocates for federal policies when they believe cooperation with the presidency benefits their states.
Nevertheless, political endorsements and declarations of loyalty do not independently establish the effectiveness of government programmes. Claims concerning expenditure, project implementation and public benefits remain subject to scrutiny and verification.
For Dare, the immediate message is that political leaders who support Tinubu should communicate their reasons more openly rather than leave the defence of the administration exclusively to presidential spokespersons.
His remarks underline the growing importance of public messaging within the governing All Progressives Congress as preparations for the 2027 elections continue.
Whether other governors adopt Sani's approach remains uncertain. What is established is that Dare has endorsed the Kaduna governor's declaration and encouraged other political leaders to defend the president's record through public engagement.
The exchange places renewed attention on the administration's development claims, the political value of federal-state cooperation and the competing interpretations of Tinubu's performance ahead of the next national election.
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