Fro
m Femi Mustapha, in Kaduna
The mKaduna State Governor, Senator Uba Sani, has promised to run an inclusive administration that will be founded on the principles of justice and fairness, carrying everyone along and leaving no space for ethnic and religious bigots who are bent on dividing the State.
The governor said this during the Christmas Carol of Six Lessons organized by the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Kaduna State Chapter today (Sunday).
Gov. Sani said that for a long time, Kaduna State has witnessed setbacks as a result of ethnic and religious bigots who divided the state along ethnic and religious lines because of their interests.
He, however, said the State must be rescued from these few individuals, and the task is that of well-meaning residents of Kaduna State by living in unity, peace, and love for the progress of the people and the State.
Governor Sani stressed that there is no development without peace and harmony, and that in Kaduna State today, everyone lives freely without intimidation because of their tribal or religious affiliations.
He said that when he took the oath of office, he promised to treat everyone equally irrespective of their religious, tribal, or political affiliation, and that is why he was at the Carols to celebrate with the Christians.
“I made it clear to you when I came into power, that I am s Governor for everyone that lives in Kaduna, be it a Muslim or Christian or any background, I remain your Governor.”
The Governor said that the only challenge now is that the State must reposition itself to bring back its lost glory.
This, according to him, means that Muslims and Christians must live together, saying he is displeased in a situation where residents of one section of the State are Muslims and the other Christians.
This, according to him, was created by some bigots, and the people must go back to how it used to be.
“We must learn to live together, we don’t want to hear or say that some Christians are living in one Area
“Today in this country, we are working hard from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu down to here in Kaduna, to ensure that we extend the economic prosperity to everyone.
“How do we do that? We must work together because poverty has no tribe, it has no religion.
“Right now, we must ensure that we reduce the level of poverty in our State and create jobs for our people.
“There are many intervention programmes that we can extend to our people. We are going to work with our Pastors, our religious leaders, and our community leaders.
“But that can only happen when we agree to continue living in peace and harmony.
“I assure you that we will carry everyone along. In the next three months, you will begin to hear from your Pastors and your leaders on our platforms.
“Again, I must commend the Secretary of Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI) is here.
“Here we are, in church, and I can tell you that some people are not happy, but the fact remains that we took an oath, and those who are not happy may be the minority.
“The most important thing is that the majority are happy because we are working towards the development and progress of our State for me, that is the key.
“JNI and CAN have been working together as one family, which, for me, is the most important achievement because they are working with religious leaders to maintain, sustain, and adapt in Kaduna State.
“That cannot happen without relative support, you have to continue to not listen to religious people.”
Speaking to journalists after the event, the CAN Chairman, Kaduna State Chapter, Rev. Caleb Ma’aji, described Governor Sani as a leader who consistently strives for inclusivity and balance.
Rev. Ma’aji noted that the celebration brought people of different faiths, including Muslims, together to commemorate the birth of Christ, who came to bring salvation and purpose to humanity.
The cleric acknowledged that differences among residents are inevitable but urged that such biases should not hinder harmonious relationships and peaceful coexistence among residents.
“For us, having His Excellency the governor of Kaduna state is a further demonstration that he is not biased and that he is not a religious bigot but an equitable Governor who identifies with his people despite the differences in Faith, belief, and location.
He is a governor who tries to balance the equation across the board, and we are glad that he came.
“He has always assured us as citizens that he is fair and that he will be fair to all, he is equitable and that he will be equitable to all, he will never treat any person different from others but will give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and God what belongs to God so we should count on him that will never in any way show any level of marginalization.
“Even the JNI secretary and other people came to join us in this celebration and this speaks to us that we are not different and that we are all human beings created by God and as such we are supposed to be a people of peace and harmony, people that loves, unite and cherish one another those differences will always be there but it should not stand in-between our relationship with one another for the same purpose of living together,” he said.
