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Muslim and Christian leaders in Kaduna State have commended Governor Uba Sani’s administration for what they described as its inclusive approach to governance and efforts to promote peaceful coexistence in the state.
The religious leaders spoke on Monday at a special interfaith dialogue organised by the Kaduna State Bureau of Interfaith at the Brigadier Abba Kyari Banquet Hall.
Some of the speakers also urged residents to support the governor’s bid for another term, citing what they described as achievements recorded by his administration in infrastructure, education, security and religious affairs.
Speaking at the event, Mr Sani said his administration was founded on the principles of justice, fairness and inclusiveness.
He recalled that he promised upon assuming office in 2023 to run an administration that would give all residents a sense of belonging, regardless of their ethnic or religious affiliations.
“People have been asking me about our model. Our model is very simple. It does not need any study. It is about justice. It is about bringing everyone to the table,” he said.
According to him, Kaduna inherited deep divisions when his administration assumed office, including situations where some residents were reluctant to develop properties allocated to them because of their religious identity.
“When we came into office, we inherited a state that was highly toxic and divided. As a governor, I allocated land to some people but they refused to build in those places because of their faiths.
“For me, it is unacceptable and we should not allow it to continue in Kaduna State. We are supposed to be the model for everyone to copy in Nigeria. We are determined to restore the glory of Kaduna State,” he said.
Mr Sani described Kaduna as one of Nigeria’s most diverse and cosmopolitan states, but said political considerations had sometimes influenced the decisions of political leaders.
He said he swore to uphold fairness to all residents when he took office on May 29, 2023.
The chairman of the Kaduna State chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria, Rev. Caleb Ma’aji, commended the administration for its infrastructure projects and support for Christian pilgrimage.
Mr Ma’aji recalled that during the 2024 Christmas Carol, he requested the governor to intervene in the construction of three major roads.
He listed them as the Nasarawa-UNTL-First Bank Road, PAN Drive-Television Garage-Sabon Tasha Road and Romi-Karatudu Road.
According to him, two of the projects have been completed, while work on the third is nearing completion.
“Last year, His Excellency re-introduced the Christian pilgrimage to Jordan and Jerusalem. We want to place it on record that this is an act that we truly appreciate,” he said.
Mr Ma’aji said the state government sponsored 50 Christians for the pilgrimage and expressed hope that the number would increase this year.
He also commended the governor for choosing Jerry Adams as his running mate ahead of the next election, describing the decision as a departure from what he called the state’s previous political practice.
The Secretary-General of Jama’atu Nasril Islam, Prof. Khalid Aliyu, said the theme of the dialogue, “An Overview of the Impactful Three Years of Peaceful Coexistence and Inclusivity in Kaduna State: Unveiling the Secret,” was consistent with the global emphasis on peace.
Mr Aliyu described Mr Sani as a peacemaker and said the state’s experience underscored the importance of investing in peaceful coexistence.
Also speaking, Sheikh Haliru Maraya highlighted some of the administration’s policies, including the reduction of tuition fees in state-owned tertiary institutions.
He also cited government security efforts, claiming that thousands of lives were lost and people kidnapped during the previous administration as a result of insecurity.
“Before the coming of this administration, there were 534 schools that were closed due to insecurity. As at today, there is not a single school in Kaduna State that is not open,” he said.
Mr Maraya also claimed that insecurity had previously forced farmers away from their farmlands but said many had since returned to cultivation.
He attributed the developments to what he described as the governor’s approach to governance.
In his goodwill message, the National Secretary of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, Bishop David Bakare, said he did not vote for Mr Sani in the 2023 governorship election.
Mr Bakare said he initially had reservations about the governor because he did not know him or his plans for the state.
“I didn’t believe in anything that you were going to do. I didn’t know you. Your handlers didn’t effectively market you to us well.
“It is after you began your work in Kaduna State that I asked myself why I didn’t vote for you,” he said.
Mr Bakare said the governor’s performance had changed his perception and that he would support him when given another opportunity to vote.
“Now, another opportunity is standing in front of me and I didn’t have to think twice to take a decision this time around. It is not just about me but many,” he said.
