…Challenges Governor to Substantiate Claim of Returning 360,000 Out-of-School Children to Classrooms
The Kaduna State gubernatorial candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Rt. Hon. Isa Mohammed Ashiru, has criticised Governor Uba Sani over his comments questioning the presidential ambition of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar ahead of the 2027 general elections, urging him to focus on governance and addressing the pressing challenges confronting the people of Kaduna State.
Read also: 2027: Governor Radda Listed as APC Governorship Candidate by INEC
Ashiru described the governor’s advice to Atiku not to seek the presidency as unnecessary, maintaining that the former vice president’s decision to contest for the nation’s highest political office should be guided by his constitutional rights, political convictions and assessment of the country’s needs, rather than unsolicited advice from political opponents.
In a statement issued on Monday through his Spokesman, Abdulwaheed Olayinka Adubi, Ashiru was reacting to recent comments attributed to Governor Uba Sani, in which he reportedly advised Atiku Abubakar, the ADC presidential candidate, and other northern political leaders against seeking the presidency in 2027.
The ADC gubernatorial candidate questioned the rationale behind the governor’s remarks, arguing that Nigeria’s democratic system provides eligible citizens with the constitutional right to aspire to public office and that such ambitions should be determined by the individuals concerned and the democratic process.
He maintained that Atiku’s presidential ambition should be evaluated within the context of democratic competition, public service and the policy alternatives political parties intend to present to Nigerians ahead of the 2027 elections.
Ashiru urged Governor Uba Sani to direct his attention towards addressing the numerous challenges facing Kaduna State rather than making pronouncements on the political aspirations of opposition figures.
The former lawmaker also challenged the governor to provide verifiable evidence to substantiate his administration’s claim that it had returned 360,000 out-of-school children to classrooms across Kaduna State.
Read also: Tinubu Loyalist Escapes Alleged Mob Attack in Bauchi as Thugs Disrupt Relief Visits
Ashiru questioned the methodology, data sources and verification processes used to arrive at the figure, insisting that such a significant claim in the education sector must be backed by credible statistics, transparent records and independently verifiable evidence.
“Beyond political rhetoric, where is the data supporting this claim? What methodology did the government adopt to establish the number of children returned to school? Which institutions independently verified the figures, and how many of these children are still attending school?” Ashiru queried.
He stressed that claims relating to educational achievements should not be reduced to political rhetoric, noting that meaningful progress must be demonstrated through measurable outcomes and reliable evidence.
According to him, returning out-of-school children to classrooms goes beyond announcing figures, as the actual impact of such interventions must also be assessed through regular school attendance, student retention, the availability of qualified teachers, adequate classroom facilities and the quality of education being delivered.
Ashiru, therefore, called on the Kaduna State Government to make public the records supporting its claim, including the distribution of the reported beneficiaries across the state’s 23 local government areas, the period covered by the intervention and the mechanisms established to ensure that the children remain in school.
He maintained that the people of Kaduna State deserve transparency and accountability from their government, particularly in the education sector, which remains fundamental to the state’s social and economic development.
The ADC candidate further urged Governor Uba Sani to prioritise the fight against insecurity, improve educational standards, strengthen healthcare delivery and address the economic difficulties confronting residents, rather than engaging in political exchanges over the presidential ambitions of opposition leaders.
Read also: 2027 : Adamawa Assembly Member denies double membership allegation.
Ashiru emphasised that as the 2027 general elections approach, public discourse should centre on governance, accountability, policy alternatives and the welfare of citizens. He insisted that political leaders must be prepared to substantiate their public claims with credible evidence and demonstrate measurable progress in the discharge of their responsibilities.
He reiterated that the people of Kaduna State deserve leadership that places their needs above political distractions and remains committed to addressing the challenges affecting their daily lives.