Magaji Questions National Progress on Independence Day
Alhaji Abubakar Magaji, the Minority Leader of the Sokoto State House of Assembly representing ADC-Bodinga North, has declared that there are no significant achievements by President Bola Tinubu’s administration worthy of celebration as Nigeria observes its 66th Independence anniversary.
Magaji made these remarks during an interview with journalists in Sokoto on September 30, 2026. He stated that despite the passage of three years into the current federal government's tenure, he has not observed any meaningful progress in leadership within the country.
"As far as I am concerned, as a serving legislator, if we are talking about progress in terms of leadership in our country, I can say without any fear of contradiction that I have not seen any progress under the Tinubu administration," Magaji said.
The politician noted that while President Tinubu is from the northern region, this demographic factor has not translated into visible developmental gains for the area. He argued that the Federal Government possesses sufficient resources to accomplish more and expressed disappointment at the lack of tangible results.
Security Crisis Displaces Residents in Sokoto
A central component of Magaji's criticism focused on the deteriorating security situation in Sokoto State. He described the current environment as "terrible," highlighting that out of the state's 23 Local Government Areas (LGAs), only Sokoto South and Sokoto North remain free from immediate security threats.
Magaji disclosed that the instability has forced residents from affected communities to seek refuge in his private residence. He confirmed he is personally hosting more than 20 displaced persons in his four-bedroom home due to the ongoing insecurity.
To contextualize the severity of the current crisis, Magaji compared the present security landscape to the tenure of late President Muhammadu Buhari. He stated that during Buhari's administration, only seven out of the 23 LGAs were vulnerable to security challenges, a figure he contrasted with the widespread vulnerability seen today.
Development Projects and Infrastructure Concerns
Regarding infrastructure, Magaji acknowledged the proposed Trans-Sahara road project as one of the few initiatives cited by supporters of the Tinubu administration. The project is designed to link Illela in Sokoto State to Badagry in Lagos.
However, Magaji argued that this single project is insufficient given the scale of developmental needs in the region. He emphasized that more comprehensive projects are required to address the challenges facing the northern part of the country.