President Bola Tinubu embarked on an official visit to Kaduna State on Thursday, where he participated in the commissioning of several key projects executed by Governor Uba Sani's administration. The visit, marked by a grand reception at Murtala Square, was briefly interrupted by a security breach, which President Tinubu handled with remarkable composure.

During his address, a man broke through the security cordon and moved towards the stage. President Tinubu paused momentarily but quickly regained his composure, instructing security operatives to "Leave him alone" before seamlessly continuing his speech. The incident was handled with "utmost professionalism" by secret service agents, as lauded by Otega Ogra, Tinubu's Senior Special Assistant on Digital/New Media, in a post on X.com (formerly Twitter) on June 19, 2025, ensuring no disruption to the event.

The inaugurated projects included the newly completed 300-bed Bola Ahmed Tinubu Specialist Hospital at Millennium City, the rollout of 100 Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) buses, and the Institute of Vocational Training and Skills Development in Rigachikun. The specialist hospital, initiated by former Vice-President Namadi Sambo in 2009, was described as filling a critical healthcare gap in the state. Governor Sani also requested the President's intervention for a cancer centre and nuclear facility, which has received approval from the Nigerian Nuclear Regulatory Authority. The 100 CNG buses are part of a broader transportation overhaul, with the governor announcing they would be subsidised and offered free to workers, students, and pensioners for the first six months. The Institute of Vocational Training and Skills Development was highlighted as a critical step in youth empowerment, with Tinubu encouraging other states to emulate Kaduna's initiatives.

President Tinubu used the occasion to commend Governor Uba Sani's transformative leadership, describing him as "my comrade" and an "agent of change, stability, love, unity, and progress." Tinubu remarked that Sani had "performed wonders and changed the environment from a toxic, uncontrollable environment to a state of life, progress, and development." He expressed deep gratitude for the warm reception and reaffirmed his longstanding connection to Kaduna State, having worked with many distinguished sons and daughters from the state throughout his career.

Governor Uba Sani, in his remarks, attributed the accelerated peace, development, and inclusion in Kaduna and the wider Northern region to President Tinubu's unwavering support and leadership. He stated that under Tinubu's guidance, Kaduna had moved "from insecurity and despair to peace, productivity, and growing prosperity." Sani highlighted significant improvements in security, crediting joint efforts with the Federal Government, military agencies, and the introduction of the community-led Kaduna Peace Model. He noted that over 500,000 hectares of farmland had been reclaimed, and more than 500 previously closed schools had reopened in areas once plagued by insecurity, such as Birnin Gwari and Zangon Kataf. Tinubu himself affirmed this improvement, recalling how campaigns previously required a "battalion of security" to visit Birnin Gwari, but now it could be moved to safely at midnight.

Beyond security, Governor Sani outlined major advancements in infrastructure, citing the launch of the largest infrastructure programme in Kaduna's history, including 79 roads spanning 780 kilometres. He specifically thanked President Tinubu for the N100 billion allocation in the 2025 federal budget for the Kaduna Light Rail Transit (KLRT) project, assuring strong federal collaboration in its implementation. Other transport initiatives mentioned included the Kaduna Bus Rapid Transit (KBRT) project and the Southern Terminal motor park. The state has also made substantial gains in healthcare, education, and financial inclusion, integrating 2.5 million unbanked residents into the formal economy, building 62 new secondary schools, renovating over 1,000 classrooms, and reducing tuition fees by 50 percent across state-owned tertiary institutions. The remodelled Panteka Market was also unveiled, now positioned as Africa’s largest informal skills hub, housing over 38,000 artisans.

A significant moment during the visit was President Tinubu's correction of an omission from his June 12, 2025 Democracy Day broadcast. He publicly conferred the national honour of Commander of the Federal Republic (CFR) on Colonel Dangiwa Umar (rtd), a former military governor of Kaduna and a prominent advocate for the June 12 movement. Tinubu described Umar as a "soldier of democracy," acknowledging his courage and steadfastness in the struggle for democracy.

The visit also underscored the evolving political landscape in Kaduna. While Governor Sani firmly aligned with President Tinubu, pledging to deepen governance reforms and consolidate the "Renewed Hope Agenda," former Governor Nasir El-Rufai has emerged as a vocal critic. El-Rufai, who has since joined the Social Democratic Party (SDP) after a fallout with Tinubu over a ministerial appointment, vowed to rally opposition parties to oust Tinubu from office in 2027. He asserted that Nigerians had lost faith in the All Progressives Congress (APC) and that it would be "impossible" for Tinubu to win re-election. However, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, speaking at the event, assured President Tinubu that Kaduna was determined to double its APC vote margin to at least 60 percent in 2027, highlighting federal infrastructure projects like the Kaduna-Kano gas pipeline (72% complete) and the Ibadan-Kaduna-Kano railway as reasons for strong support. Meanwhile, the APC announced preparations for a grand reception on Saturday, June 21, 2025, in Akwa Ibom State, to formally welcome Governor Umo Bassey Eno and his team into the party, with President Tinubu expected to attend.

President Tinubu concluded his visit by reiterating his administration's commitment to supporting Kaduna's development goals, stating, "Kaduna is rising again, and we will work with you." He called on Nigerians, particularly those in the North, to rally behind him, with Governor Sani appealing, "Let the North be the bedrock of this Renewed Hope. Tinubu deserves our full backing."