By Atlantic Reports

Minister of State for Regional Development, Uba Ahmadu, has urged Nigerians to scrutinise campaign promises ahead of the 2027 general elections, arguing that voters should assess politicians by their records of delivery.

Speaking in an interview on Sunday in Abuja, Ahmadu warned against scammers and politicians making extravagant promises to secure power.

“Desperate people will make promises, they will promise you heaven and earth,” he said.

“You should be very, very careful with people who will promise you heaven and earth just because they want to get in.”

He urged voters to compare President Bola Tinubu’s administration with previous governments before deciding whom to support.

Minister Makes Broad Performance Claims

Ahmadu maintained that the administration had made progress across critical sectors despite Nigeria’s economic and social challenges.

“With all sense of responsibility, I do not know of one government in the current political dispensation from 1999 to date that has delivered on all sectors like we have,” he said.

He also claimed that the administration had delivered more critical infrastructure, particularly roads and bridges, than all previous governments combined since independence.

The supplied interview did not include a project inventory, completion figures, expenditure records or comparative data to substantiate that claim. It also did not distinguish completed projects from those under construction.

Those distinctions matter when assessing infrastructure delivery, including when projects were initiated, how much funding was released and whether facilities are operational.

Appeal for Patience Over Hardship

The minister acknowledged public concerns about economic difficulties but defended the administration’s policies as measures intended to address underlying national problems.

He argued that public spending should prioritise lasting solutions rather than cash distribution that leaves those problems unresolved.

“Mr. President has continuously appealed to Nigerians to be patient with this government,” Ahmadu said.

“Whatever measures this government has taken so far, believe me, it is in the general interest of all Nigerians.”

He said government officials were concerned about citizens’ welfare and had families and relations who also experienced the country’s challenges.

His defence centred on the government’s intentions, while the interview provided no specific timetable for the relief Nigerians should expect from the policies.

Student Loans Highlighted

Ahmadu cited the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) as an intervention helping students from disadvantaged backgrounds overcome financial barriers to tertiary education.

He said the fund received regular allocations to support students who might otherwise struggle to afford higher education.

The account did not specify allocation amounts, actual disbursements or the number of students supported.

Ahead of the elections, Ahmadu urged Nigerians to place greater weight on achievements than campaign rhetoric. Assessing that record will require measurable evidence of delivery alongside the administration’s claims.

Atlantic Reports: Voices. People. Facts.