By Emmanuel Kwada
A revealing account by public commentator Maxwell Bako Dogara has shed light on how the ambitious road infrastructure legacy of late Governor Patrick Ibrahim Yakowa was derailed by his successor, Nasir El-Rufai, through policies that marginalized Southern Kaduna, stalling critical development and deepening regional divides. Now, under Governor Uba Sani, efforts are underway to revive these abandoned projects, signaling a return to equitable governance.
According to Dogara, between May 2010 and December 2012, Governor Patrick Ibrahim Yakowa, Kaduna State’s first governor from Southern Kaduna, launched an ambitious plan to construct 19 strategic road projects across the state.
Dogara describes Yakowa’s approach as one rooted in inclusiveness, designed to bridge the historical developmental gap between Northern and Southern Kaduna. The projects spanned diverse regions, from Zaria in the north to Kauru and Kaura in the south, and extended to Birnin Gwari, ensuring that underserved communities were connected to the state’s economic and social mainstream.
“Key projects in Southern Kaduna included the Kagoro–Manchok–Mabushi Road, Kachia–Kwaturu–Ladduga Road, and the Madaki–Kukum–Wasa axis, which aimed to improve access for rural communities, facilitate the transport of agricultural produce, and enhance mobility for schoolchildren and traders.
For the first time in decades, Southern Kaduna felt seen and heard. Yakowa’s vision was to unite the state through infrastructure, ensuring no region was left behind
“In the north, roads like the Birnin Gwari–Dogon Dawa Road and Yakawada–Tsofoya Road in Giwa were prioritized to open up economic opportunities. Other notable projects, such as the Barnawa Phase I Roads, Gora–Dutsen Bako Road, Zaria–Hunkuyi–Kudan Road, and Mariri–Kamukuya link, were designed to stimulate rural economies, improve security through better connectivity, and provide safe passage for residents.
“For the first time in decades, Southern Kaduna felt seen and heard,” Dogara emphasized. “Yakowa’s vision was to unite the state through infrastructure, ensuring no region was left behind.”
Yakowa’s tragic death in a helicopter crash in December 2012 marked a turning point for Kaduna’s development trajectory. His successor, Nasir El-Rufai, who governed from 2015 to 2023, adopted policies that Dogara alleges systematically sidelined Southern Kaduna.
According to Dogara, El-Rufai’s administration deprioritized or outright abandoned many of Yakowa’s road projects, particularly those in Southern Kaduna. The Kagoro–Manchok–Mabushi Road, Kachia–Kwaturu–Ladduga Road, and Madaki–Kukum–Wasa axis were left incomplete, with contractors quietly withdrawn and funds revalidated under Yakowa redirected to other priorities.
Funds were reallocated, and projects stalled. This wasn’t just about budgets; it was a calculated exclusion that deepened distrust and regional divisions
Even projects in Northern Kaduna, such as the Birnin Gwari–Dogon Dawa Road and Yakawada–Tsofoya Road, suffered similar neglect, suggesting a broader pattern of abandoning Yakowa’s legacy. Dogara argues that El-Rufai’s development planning was selective, favoring areas aligned with his political base over equitable service delivery.
“Funds were reallocated, and projects stalled,” Dogara said. “This wasn’t just about budgets; it was a calculated exclusion that deepened distrust and regional divisions.
“The impact was profound. Abandoned roads meant farmers struggled to transport goods to markets, traders faced increased costs, and rural communities remained isolated. The lack of progress on these roads also exacerbated insecurity, as poor infrastructure limited access for security forces in volatile areas like Birnin Gwari and Southern Kaduna. Yakowa’s roads were lifelines,” Dogara noted.
“Their abandonment didn’t just stall concrete work—it stalled human progress.”
Praising Governor Uba Sani’s inclusiveness, Dogara noted that upon assuming office in 2023, Governor Uba Sani has taken decisive steps to reverse this legacy of neglect, earning praise for his commitment to inclusive governance. Recognizing that infrastructure should transcend political loyalties, Sani has prioritized the revival of several of Yakowa’s abandoned projects across both Northern and Southern Kaduna.
Their abandonment didn’t just stall concrete work—it stalled human progress
Dogara highlights key initiatives, including the resumption of work on roads in Birnin Gwari, Giwa, Zangon Kataf, Kachia, and Zaria.
A significant milestone is the Kwagiri–Kussom–Wasa Road, where Sani’s administration cleared all pending liabilities, enabling contractors to return to the site. Similarly, the long-neglected Romi–Karatudu Road has been reassessed for rehabilitation, a move that Dogara describes as a “strong signal” that the era of exclusion is ending. Other projects, such as those in Zaria and Kachia, are also being prioritized, with plans to restore connectivity and stimulate economic activity.
“Governor Sani is showing that Kaduna is one state, not a fragmented landscape of loyalties,” Dogara said.
“By reviving these roads, he’s restoring hope and proving that infrastructure is about people, not politics.”
Governor Sani is showing that Kaduna is one state, not a fragmented landscape of loyalties
The abandonment of Yakowa’s projects under El-Rufai had far-reaching consequences. Beyond the economic stagnation caused by uncompleted roads, the selective neglect fueled perceptions of marginalization in Southern Kaduna, a region with a history of ethnic and religious tensions. Dogara argues that this exclusion deepened divisions, undermining social cohesion in a state already grappling with complex challenges.
Sani’s efforts to revive these projects are not just about infrastructure but about rebuilding trust. By addressing the disparities of the past, his administration is laying the foundation for a more united Kaduna. The resuscitation of roads like Kwagiri–Kussom–Wasa and Romi–Karatudu is expected to improve access to markets, schools, and healthcare, while also enhancing security through better connectivity.
“As contractors return to long-abandoned sites and roads begin to take shape, the people of Kaduna—particularly in Southern Kaduna—are seeing renewed hope for a future where development is inclusive and justice prevails.
“Governor Sani is picking up where Yakowa left off,” Dogara concluded. “This is more than building roads; it’s about building a state where every community has a stake in progress.”
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