By Isah Muhammad Galadima
Let me begin by congratulating the Kaduna state governor Malam Nasir El-Rufa’i on his victory at the Tribunal. That is reaffirmation of the clear mandate given by the majority masses to the best governor Kaduna state has ever witnessed. I read with keen interest the recent press release by a Coalition of Southern Kaduna Groups on fundamental developments under the government of El-Rufa’i.
The coalition has made scary submissions that have fundamental implications on Kaduna state.
A mere look at the release will reveal to one outrightly that the so-called coalition is after a heinous agenda that only time will mark. The release has been covered by national papers, even though it contained massive deviations from the truth. In sum, I consider the release as inciting, impatient, incoherent and irrelevant.
Constitutionally, Kaduna South Senatorial Zone comprises 8 local government areas not 12.
These are Jaba with 155,973, Jema’a 278,202 people, Kachia 252,568, Kagarko 239,058, Kaura 174,626, Kauru 221,276, Sanga 151,485, and Zangon Kataf 318,991. According to 2006 Population census, Kaduna South Senatorial Zone has a total of 1,792,179 people. This figure is not in conformity with the superfluous 3million proffered by the release. The implication of this is that the coalition is in daylight fight with Nigerian constitution. Let the truth be told.
Kaduna state is entirely bonded by same socio-cultural and historical ties and not Southern Kaduna alone. Such tribal sentimental ideas are archaic and obsolete.
It is true that El-Rufa’i led-government has embarked on restructuring the state and getting it rid of the reign of monster impunity that characterised the previous governments. The reformation assignment may not be welcomed by those selfish individuals or groups that enjoyed the ugly circle of favoritism of the past administration. It is evident that Kaduna state people are massively in support of El-Rufai’s policies.
It is not true that Southern Kaduna people have been treated indifferently by the state government because they have not voted for the government. I do not think Southern Kaduna will forgive this unguarded baseless point. In the area where at least one person has voted for the APC, it’s not fair to assume that government of El-Rufai will neglect that person.
For the sake of that one person who might have gone for APC change, government will reciprocate to better the lives of 1,792179 people of the area. It is inconceivable to assume that a prudent government anywhere in the world will neglect such a huge population for political grudges. Even my vociferous don Dr John Danfulani will not agree to this arrant fallacy. Danfulani needs to lecture the coalition on this.Please.
My biggest surprise came when I read the reasons given by the coalition upon which their traumatic accusations were hinged.
Insecurity is the biggest challenge El-Rufa’i’s government must face—and indeed not land reclamation. Insecurity is the biggest challenge facing the entire country.
It appears the coalition is not aware of the monumental insecurity challenge facing the state.
The government has toured every part of the state and has seen critically how insecurity affects the lives of Kaduna state citizens and implementation of its policies.
Insecurity with all its attendants’ allies has ravaged the state considerably. Armed robbery, cattle rustling, ethno-religious crises and others have for a very long time thwarted an optimal development of the state. Insecurity, just like Boko Haram insurgency, constitutes the biggest threat being faced by the state and its neighbours. Its gladdening to note that few weeks after his inauguration, governor El-Rufai has swiftly taken a cogent lead in the fight against insecurity in the state. It’s our hope that the effort started will be followed up patiently until victory is ascertained.
It is one of secessionist idea that Kaduna state is a divide of North and South neglecting the constitutionally Central Zone, Zone B which coincidentally happens to be the largest both in population and land mass. Senator Shehu Sani representing the Central Zone must then relinquish his Senatorial position since the coalition has debunked a constitutional arrangement that initiated his election.
Having 4 commissioners out of 13 from Southern Kaduna is a big political reward. You deserve not up to that number under normal political calculations.
In Kaduna state, it is an indisputable fact that the higher institutions of learning, ranging from the universities to polytechnics and colleges of education, etc were heavily present in Zaria (ZONE A) and or Kafanchan (ZONE C), Birnin Gwari (ZONE B) has been neglected on this.
I advise the coalition to avoid feeding the press with fallacies, to avoid inciting public strife in Kaduna state and to follow up tangible claims that really affect them with objective write ups and or legal ordeals. And if really they are peace-loving and patriotic citizens as they claim not as secessionists as we see them, they should allow El-Rufai spacious time to complete the resuscitation movement it started. The damage that has been inflicted on Kaduna state by the previous governments was such a hefty one. It requires only a committed and fearless leader like El-Rufai to succeed and surely this government is destined to attain the zenith of victory.
Galadima wrote from Birnin Gwari, Kaduna state.
