SPECIAL REPORT: Evaluating the Performance of New Governors’ First 100 Days in Office – Part 2

Last Wednesday, September 6, 2023, marked the 100th day in office for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and 28 State Governors, who were sworn in to lead the nation at both the national and subnational levels of government. In this report, Osun Defender’s Niyi Olasinde examines their performance to date in comparison to their campaign promises.

Notably, 18 of the 28 states have governors beginning their first terms. For the purpose of this assessment, we will focus exclusively on these first-term governors, excluding those embarking on second terms (a total of 10) and those not currently within their election cycle (a total of 8).

The eight states with off-cycle elections include Anambra, Bayelsa, Edo, Ekiti, Imo, Kogi, Ondo, and Osun. These states hold gubernatorial elections at different times, as determined by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). For instance, Kogi, Anambra, and Imo are slated for gubernatorial elections on November 11 of this year, while Ondo and Edo will experience their next round of elections in 2024. Anambra’s next gubernatorial election will occur at a later date, and Osun and Ekiti will hold their elections in 2026, as they recently completed their last rounds in 2022.

This is the second installment of our publication. You can find the first part here. In our inaugural piece, we scrutinized the performance of newly sworn-in governors in the North Central region. Now, we turn our attention to other regions.

North-East

Kefas Agbu — Taraba State, People’s Democratic Party (PDP)

Kefas Agbu (Taraba) is a retired army lieutenant-colonel with 21 years of service. At 52 years old, Agbu brings a wealth of experience, having previously served as the chairman of the governing board of directors at the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency and as a member of the Presidential Committee on North-East Initiative from 2016 to 2019.

Agbu recently unveiled his “100-Day Social Contract” and is committed to fulfilling his promises. As we approach the end of this crucial period, we turn our focus to his notable accomplishments.

During his first 100 days in office, Kefas Agbu has taken significant steps towards revitalizing Taraba State across various sectors, including tourism, transportation, health, agriculture, and education. His administration’s proactive approach to securing loans from various commercial banks holds promise for building upon the groundwork laid during this time.

North-West

Namadi Umar Alhaji — Jigawa State, All Progressives Congress (APC)

Namadi Umar Alhaji (Jigawa) brings substantial experience to his role, having served as the deputy governor of Jigawa State from 2019 until May 28, 2023. Umar is also renowned as the founder of Namadi, Umar & Co Chartered Accountants firm and the pioneer Head of Dangote Group Management Accounts Department.

Governor Namadi Alhaji has hit the ground running with a comprehensive 12-point agenda covering education, health, water resources, agriculture, environment, ICT, and other critical areas of development. In his first 100 days, he has demonstrated notable achievements, solidifying his commitment to making Kaduna the leading economic hub in Northern Nigeria.

Uba Sani – Kaduna State, All Progressives Congress (APC)

Uba Sani (Kaduna), a 52-year-old seasoned politician, previously served as Kaduna Central senator from 2019 to 2023 and held the position of former National Vice Chairman (North) of the Campaign for Democracy.

Within his initial 100 days in office, Governor Uba Sani has embarked on a transformative journey, marked by his government’s “Multi-pronged, People-oriented Policies.” His accomplishments include addressing extreme poverty and insecurity, distributing political patronage and infrastructure development across all local governments in Kaduna State, eradicating underdevelopment and poverty, and promoting inclusion in governance. Notable achievements range from reducing tertiary fees by 50 percent to constructing state schools, empowering the less privileged, and launching housing projects for vulnerable families. He has also prioritized financial inclusion, women’s shelter projects, and a megacity housing initiative aimed at benefiting hundreds of thousands of impoverished residents. The governor’s commitment extends to scholarships, empowerment kits, road projects, and mobile medical trucks to provide quality healthcare services to underserved communities.

Umaru Dikko Radda — Katsina State, All Progressives Congress (APC)

Dikko Radda (Katsina), a former Director-General of the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), assumed office as the governor of Katsina State. At 53 years old, he succeeds Aminu Masari.

During his first 100 days, Governor Radda has focused on elevating Katsina State’s developmental prospects. Notable achievements include initiatives in education, healthcare, and counterterrorism efforts. His administration invested N7 billion in armored vehicles and equipment for security agencies to combat terrorism without negotiation or ransom payments. Additionally, he has taken measures to address debt servicing challenges, such as recruiting 1,500 youths from affected LGAs to collaborate with security agencies. These actions are aimed at curbing terrorism and banditry in the state.

Yusuf Abba Kabir — Kano State, New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP)

Yusuf Abba Kabir (Kano), a civil engineering graduate with an extensive background in public service, served as Kano State Commissioner of Works, Housing, and Transport from 2011 to 2015. At 60 years old, he is Kano’s first NNPP governor.

Governor Kabir has garnered attention for his commitment to completing road projects abandoned by his predecessor.

Notable achievements include reinstating the payment of National Examinations Council (NECO) enrollment fees, benefiting 55,000 students and preventing drop-out rates. His administration has also made strides in poverty alleviation, refuse evacuation, street lighting, drainage facilities construction, healthcare improvements, and the restoration of the Hasiya Bayero Children’s Hospital. Kabir aims to continue building on the infrastructure foundation laid by his predecessor and transform Kano State into a hub of development.

Nasir Idris – Kebbi State (APC)

Nasir Idris (Kebbi), a former national President of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) and Deputy President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), assumed office as the APC candidate at the age of 57.

Governor Idris wasted no time in reawarding the Kebbi State Government Multi-Million Naira Secretariat Complex project, signifying a commitment to infrastructural development. His achievements also encompass interventions in security, crime prevention, assistance to communities affected by banditry, and modernizing Kebbi State’s infrastructure, particularly in the state capital, Birnin Kebbi.

Aliyu Ahmed Sokoto — Sokoto State, All Progressives Congress (APC)

Aliyu Ahmed Sokoto (Sokoto), a 53-year-old with a diverse career, previously served as the Deputy Governor of Sokoto State from 2015 to 2018. He also held positions such as chief accountant at the Local Government Service Commission, Commissioner, and Executive Secretary of the Police Trust Fund.

Governor Sokoto celebrated his 100th day in office by declaring September 9, 2023, a public holiday, emphasizing its significance in the state’s history. His administration has achieved notable milestones in restoring security, promoting peace, and fostering economic recovery. Governor Sokoto’s initiatives span agriculture, education, youth empowerment, and healthcare improvements, with a particular focus on addressing the challenges posed by terrorism and banditry.

Dauda Lawal — Zamfara State, People’s Democratic Party (PDP)

Dauda Lawal (Zamfara), a seasoned banker with a PhD in business administration, brings his expertise to the position at the age of 57. He previously served as CBN governor Lamido Sanusi’s special adviser on Islamic banking.

Governor Lawal has prioritized ending banditry and insecurity in Zamfara State during his first 100 days in office. His notable achievements include the establishment of a Security Trust Fund and a poverty alleviation program, demonstrating his commitment to addressing pressing challenges in the state.

Watch out for the concluding part.