Uba Sani: Religious leaders key to Kaduna’s peace — their guidance is invaluable

Uba Sani, governor of Kaduna, says religious leaders have played a critical role in sustaining peace across the state and must not be relegated to the background outside election seasons.

Speaking during an interactive session with religious and traditional rulers in Kaduna on Monday, Sani said the strides made in the state’s peace and security efforts over the past two years could not have been achieved without their support.

He noted that the clerics had offered invaluable advice on how to achieve peace, unity, and development in the state.

“Without them, we cannot be standing here celebrating peace in Kaduna state,” he said.

The governor criticised politicians for sidelining clerics after assuming office, only to return to them during campaign seasons.

“We only remember them when it is a month or two to elections. We go to them using sentiments, using religion so that they can support us,” Sani said.

“That is why we believe that we need you now to guide us and not to rush to you only during elections.

“That is why I am here to explain to you what we have done in the last two years, in the area of security, education, healthcare and social security, since we came into office.”

Sani said the Kaduna peace model, which prioritises non-kinetic approaches to conflict resolution, is now being studied by other states, noting that its success was driven by the synergy between government and critical stakeholders.

He added that security officials were not placed at the top of the stakeholder hierarchy in his administration’s peace-building approach, as the first step was to address the trust deficit between communities and authorities.

“We made it clear that we can’t deploy security to any community without engaging the stakeholders so that they can be in the picture of whatever we are going to do,” he said.

“They will initiate the programme, own it, and then the government will come in.”

“Today by the grace of God and with your prayers, people can go to Birnin Gwari with their eyes closed. That is an achievement.”

The governor also lamented recent attacks on religious leaders by politicians and online commentators.

“I always say, if we allow our religious leaders to be insulted, to be condemned unnecessarily, we will not have a country, much less a state. Whenever things are bad, we go to them for prayers,’’ he added.