Shehu Sani as the bridge to the end of ethno religious crises in Kaduna state
By Abdulmumin Giwa
AREWA AGENDA – Kaduna state in its history has been characterized by avoidable religious and ethnic crises that have created a gap between the two major indigenes groups of the North and the South in the state.
As the North on the one hand is made up of Hausa/Fulanis, mainly Muslim, as majority or predominant, the Southern part of Kaduna is made up of several tribes as majority and mainly Christian.
The gap founded between the two major sections of the state is so pronounced that it has caused destruction of lives and property in the past as well as slowed down developmental progress of the state.
Those in the north look at those in the south of the state with the eyes of hatred and enmity as do those in the south as well. This unfortunate situation was founded, nurtured and exploited by political leaders seeking offices, religious leaders seeking congregation, and individual citizens seeking personal benefits.
No one actually sees the other as a fellow citizen of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, but as an opponent whose blood could be as cheap as nothing to him, for indeed this has led to unwarranted killings and massive losses of lives and property.
Prominent amongst these crises that have dented the history of the state and would also recall bad memories for many are those of Kafanchan, Zangon Kataf, Kaduna North, Kaduna South, the effects of which still have their place in the state to date.
I was personally moved and enchanted when I saw the headlines “Kaduna 2023: I’ll serve as bridge between north, south if elected gov – Shehu Sani” on a daily newspaper.
This is because I have been involved in various efforts, and in several capacities, to strengthen unity and understanding among the two sections of the state. Many of such efforts have yielded a lot of successful stories. These include among other efforts, visits to religious and political scholars in particular.
Definitely, for a committed and patriotic Kaduna indigene, I feel it is only ideal to support such declaration from a political personality known to be committed to the same course of rights, freedom, unity and peace.
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Shehu Sani is from Kaduna and is aware of the need for that and has contributed towards saving the state from that evil for long. In fact his contribution in that dimension can not be quantified, both as a renowned human rights activist and as a leading politician in the state.
On the other hand, myopic politicians in the state only exploit such diversities to increase their votes. They only go about hypocritically using such differences to gain supporters to achieve their personal whims and caprices. They have always been very hypocritical and in fact inhuman.
It shows the level of boldness, courage and acceptance in the state for a politician of his calibre to come out and make such a declaration.
For one to have the guts to declare to serve as that bridge between the north and the south of Kaduna state, for that personality to be a renowned activist and for him to be a politician, then the future of the state has never been as bright.
This will create an opportunity for everyone to see the other as being from Kaduna first before other ethno religious considerations, it will change the gross mentality of the people of the state, create peace, harmony and understanding, respect for one another, enhance synergy in development as well as diversify life opportunities for all.
All these will be possible if people rally in support of Shehu Sani as the only hope for the state.
I can confidently say that these golden words of Shehu Sani have since founded a benchmark of hope for the state for indeed it needs a Moses to walk it past the Red Sea.
“The people of Kaduna State need a leader that will lead them out of Egypt. It is no fiction that our dear state has never been so divided.
“What we need now is a leader that will unite and secure our people, a leader that will ensure social justice and equality. And I believe I can provide that.
“I will provide a leadership that will spread prosperity to all the 23 Local Government Areas of the state,” Shehu Sani stated.
Congratulations to the people of Kaduna state for this victory over evil for indeed Shehu Sani is that bridge.
Arewa Agenda is a Publication of Young writers/journalist from Northern Nigeria towards Peaceful Coexistence and National Development through positive narratives
