Kaduna: Religious leaders praise Uba Sani’s inclusive governance

Governor Uba Sani’s inclusive leadership style, which emphasizes uniform development across Kaduna State, and governance philosophy based on equity and justice for all have been applauded by religious leaders.

Muslim and Christian clergy commended the governor for leading the state during a special inter-religious dialogue held at Brigadier Abba Kyari Banquet Hall on Monday.

Religious leaders stressed that Kaduna State now enjoys relative peace and harmony, including peaceful coexistence between Muslims and Christians, since assuming office more than three years ago.

At the event organized by the Kaduna State Inter-Religious Office, speakers noted that the current administration has recorded many achievements and most of them called for the re-election of the governor to continue with what he has started.

Speaking on the occasion, Governor Uba Sani recalled that when he assumed office in 2023, he promised to lead an inclusive government that has now won the hearts and minds of not only the people of Kaduna State but the entire country.

”People have asked me about our model. Our model is very simple. It does not require any study. It’s about justice. It’s about bringing everyone to the table,” he stressed.

“When we took office, we inherited a highly toxic and divided state. As governor, I awarded land to some people, but they refused to build there because of their faith.

”For me it is unacceptable and we should not allow this to continue in Kaduna State. We should be the model for everyone in Nigeria to copy. We are determined to restore the glory of Kaduna State.

“We are the most diverse state in Nigeria, the most cosmopolitan, but unfortunately we have allowed politics to always dictate the direction of our political leaders,” he said.

Governor Uba Sani reiterated that on May 29, 2023, he took the oath and swore on the glorious Quran to be fair to all regardless of their ethno-religious affiliations.

In his address, the Kaduna State Chapter of the President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Reverend Caleb Ma’aji, said the governor has done and achieved a lot for the state.

Reverend Ma’aji recalled that when Governor Uba Sani participated in the Christmas carol on December 22, 2024, he had called for three major road projects on behalf of his people.

The CAN Chairman who listed Nasarawa-UNTL-First Bank road, PAN Drive-Television Garage-Sabon Tasha road and Romi-Karatudu road, expressed gratitude that two roads have been completed and the third is almost completed.

”Last year His Excellency reintroduced the Christian pilgrimage to Jordan and Jerusalem. We want to put on record that this is an act that we truly appreciate.

“His Excellency has sponsored 50 Christians in Jordan and Jerusalem and this year we are confident that he will double the number with the grace of God,” Reverend Maáji further stated.

The pastor also thanked Governor Uba Sani for choosing Jerry Adams as his deputy in the next election, which “is a departure from the culture of the past.”

For his part, the general secretary of the Jamaátul Nasir Islam, prof. Khalid Aliyu, noted that the theme of Special Inter-Religious Dialogue, namely “An Overview of Three Impactful Years of Peaceful Coexistence and Inclusivity in Kaduna State: Unlocking the Secret”, coincides with the International Day of Peace.

Professor Aliyu, who revealed that the theme of this year’s International Day of Peace is “Investing in Peace, for Everyone, Everywhere, Every Day”, described the Governor as a peacemaker.

Speaking at the event, Sheikh Haliru Maraya enumerated the achievements of Governor Uba Sani’s administration, including cutting tuition fees in all state-owned tertiary institutions in Kaduna to increase access.

According to him, under the previous administration, 4,876 lives were lost due to insecurity and 7,694 people were abducted, while 1,660 incidents of insecurity were recorded.

”Before the advent of this administration, there were 534 schools closed due to insecurity. As of today, there is not a single school in Kaduna State that is not open.

”Before now there were 500 hectares of land uncultivated due to insecurity. Right now, the owners of those agricultural lands have returned to their farms,” he said, adding that ”three years, four months and six days in office of Governor Uba Sani have brought development to Kaduna State.”

In his goodwill message, the National Secretary of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), Bishop David Bakare, confessed that he did not vote for Governor Uba Sani in 2023 when he contested the elections.

”I didn’t believe in anything you were going to do. I didn’t know you. Your referrals did not market you well effectively. It was after you started your work in Kaduna state, that I wondered why I didn’t vote for you.

“Now I have another opportunity in front of me and this time I didn’t have to think twice to make a decision, it doesn’t just affect me but many,” he confessed.