Nigerians would be shocked if they find out the truth behind Southern Kaduna crisis — Sen. Sani

Senator representing Kaduna Central in the 9th Senate, Senator Uba Sani, has said Governor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State, is one of the best and most hardworking Governor in the country, but who is greatly misunderstood and misrepresented by the public. He said the insecurity plaguing the State can best be described as a perpetual effort by persons who have been profiting from ethno-religious crisis in the State, to "Sabotage" his government and to tarnish his image.


Sani who made the statement in an Interview with THISDAY, also added that the Kaduna State is working hard to end the security challenges in the state.

Asked whether he is worried that the situation in southern Kaduna could slow or blur the vision of Governor El-Rufai in Kaduna State, he said, "We remain focused and totally committed to our vision and mission despite the unfortunate insecurity situation in Southern Kaduna."



Speaking further, he said, "The State Government is deeply worried and taking all necessary measures to bring the situation under control. But you will agree with me that misperceptions and misrepresentations of the intentions of the government have not helped matters.

"Let me tell you, in life, nothing can be as discouraging as when you are misunderstood or when you are putting in not just your best but your all, to make a situation work and you are being perpetually sabotaged.

"Even children in primary and secondary schools are well aware that the nation is facing a major national security crisis. It started from the North-east with Boko Haram insurgents and we flooded the northeast, particularly Borno and Yobe States with the gallant Officers and men of our armed forces as well as their equipment.




"My very strong belief is that hardened criminals and bandits capitalized on this over concentration of our security efforts in the Northeast, particularly these two states, to creep into other northern States.

"The Governor of Katsina States cries out almost everyday; we have had incidences in Benue, Nassarawa and Plateau States. And you are also aware that the Governor of Zamfara State also cries out regularly, the Governor of Kano State sometimes cries out about these criminals and bandits. But you know what, because of the peculiar history of Kaduna, when the criminals and bandits strike in Kaduna, it is immediately dubbed a religious or ethnic crisis."


On whether he thinks the crisis in southern parts of Kaduna has no ethnic or religious undertone, he said, "I am fully on ground in Kaduna State. I speak with my Governor everyday; I speak with community and religious leaders everyday, especially given that part of my constituency is affected by the unfortunate and totally unnecessary crisis.

"Now, the criminals would strike at communities in Kaduna, the way they strike in communities in Katsina, Nassarawa, Zamfara and other States in northern Nigeria and the next thing you witness in Kaduna is that persons who have been profiting from ethno-religious crisis would start capitalizing on the misfortune of our brothers and sisters and they will begin to instigate different religious adherents against each other just as they would instigate ethnic groups against each other.



"The right thing that ought to happen in these circumstances is for everyone to join hands with the State Governor and the nation’s security forces to chase these bandits out of our homelands. It is very dangerous to play politics with security. Kaduna State has suffered enough.

"The good news is that Governor El-Rufai has totally decentralized critical security meetings and briefings in Kaduna State. We now hold Zoom meetings that have all senior public and political office holders, irrespective of party, religion or location, participating.


"We just had one on Saturday, 15th August 2020. Everybody from Assistant Director cadre in either the Federal or State Civil Service; all political office holders – elected or appointed, we all brainstormed. The Governor was emphatic that he was ready to welcome criticism, no matter how harsh, in any area anyone felt he had defaulted in the Southern Kaduna issue.

"All the persons who attended the Zoom meeting were shocked to find out the truth. In fact, I just pity Mallam Nasir El Rufai. I have not seen a more misunderstood Nigerian leader. Mallam Nasir El Rufai’s closest and most trusted aides are mostly Christians either from southern part of the country or Southern Kaduna. In fact, more than 15 per cent of members of Governor El-Rufai’s cabinet are not even from Kaduna State. The Governor is being wrongly portrayed; totally misunderstood and I think this is unfair."