KADUNA — The political atmosphere in Kaduna State took a volatile turn on Monday, February 2, 2026, as angry residents of Kubau Local Government Area booed Governor Uba Sani during an official visit. The protesters, chanting “Bamayi” (We are not with you) and “One-term governor,” openly revolted against the Governor over his support for the President Bola Tinubu administration’s controversial tax reforms and the worsening security situation in the state.
The demonstration erupted as the Governor’s convoy arrived in the area, with youths and community members expressing deep-seated frustration over what they termed “executive betrayal.” The primary catalyst for the protest was Governor Sani’s vocal backing of President Tinubu’s Tax Reform Bill, a piece of legislation that has faced stiff resistance across Northern Nigeria for its perceived lopsidedness and potential to further impoverish the grassroots.
“We are hungry, we are being killed by bandits, and all the Governor cares about is helping Tinubu tax the little we have left,” one protester shouted amid the chaos.
The protesters specifically slammed the Tinubu administration’s “insensitivity” toward the plight of the North, citing the failure of the federal government to secure farming communities in Kaduna. Critics at the scene argued that while the Governor and the President are preoccupied with complex fiscal maneuvers and tax hikes, rural dwellers in Kubau and surrounding areas remain at the mercy of terrorists and kidnappers who have made farming—the region’s economic backbone—nearly impossible.
The “one-term” chants served as a direct warning to the Governor, as residents accused him of prioritizing “loyalty to Abuja” over the sufferings of the common citizens of Kaduna. Despite the Governor’s recent signing of a ₦985.9 billion 2026 budget intended to boost infrastructure, the mood in Kubau suggested a massive disconnect between government figures and the reality of life on the ground.
In a swift reaction, pro-government representatives dismissed the incident as “politically motivated,” claiming the Governor was actually welcomed by supporters and that the hecklers were “sponsored elements.” However, the viral footage of the booing has emboldened opposition figures, who argue that the “Bamayi” sentiment is a reflection of the general rejection of the APC’s policies both at the state and federal levels.
