By Nathan Adjogri-Kusu
For those who have been following the administration of Governor Uba Sani in Kaduna State in the last 22 months, they will readily attest to the fact that he has raised the bar of governance to the point that those who were hitherto disgruntled and disenchanted with whatever government in the state stood for before his coming, have now reconsidered their position, renewed their hope and trust in the sincerity and determination of the government of the day to meet their most critical needs.
It is not surprising, therefore, that critical stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Zangon Kataf Local Government Area unanimously passed a vote of confidence on him and also on the President, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, with a pledge to ensure that they are returned as Governor and President come 2027.
The Executive Committee and Stakeholders of the APC in the local government area, who expressed their confidence on both President Bola Tinubu and Governor Uba Sani, declared in a communiqué signed by Francis Danladi Kozah and Jerry Irimiya Mark, chairman and co-chairman of the APC stakeholders and read by the council chairman, Joseph Bege, that the decision was based on President Tinubu and Governor Uba Sani’s commitments to fostering peace and enhancing security of not just Zangon Kataf alone, but Kaduna state at large.
According to the stakeholders, the establishment of a military 2nd National Mission Brigade base in the local government has proven to be decisive and a pivotal move in sustaining peace in the area. For Zangon Kataf and so many other local government areas in Southern Kaduna, the question of security is key for any meaningful development.
The stakeholders noted that: “President Bola Tinubu and Governor Uba Sani’s commitment to the peace and security of our people is evident in the sudden end to attacks on our communities. This move reflects the government’s understanding of the critical need for enhanced security measures in areas prone to conflict, thereby fostering an environment where citizens can thrive.
“We urge all residents of Zangon Kataf to remain vigilant and be committed to fostering harmony within our communities, as peace is the cornerstone of development,” they said.
Before the coming of the Governor Uba Sani’s administration, Zangon Kataf has had its share of insecurity which plagued the zone in the eight years of former Governor Nasir El Rufai.
While appreciating President Tinubu for appointing indigenes of Zangon Kataf including Gen. Chris Musa as Chief of Defence Staff and Bishop Hassan Kukah as Pro Chancellor of the Federal University of Applied Sciences, Kachia, the stakeholders maintained that, the return of peace in the area and with the presence of tangible infrastructural development being witnessed, the re-election of Tinubu and Governor Uba Sani was a done deal.
“In light of all that we have benefited from this government, we want to declare that there is no vacancy in Sir Kashim Ibrahim House and Aso Rock come 2027. We shall offer our full support to both President Bola Tinubu and Governor Uba Sani in their re-election bid,” they declared.
They further appreciated Governor Uba Sani for the ongoing multi-billion naira skills acquisition city which they say will provide “our youths with certified skills, thereby stamping out the root cause of criminality in our society”.
As an encore, the stakeholders then called on people of the local government to rally behind the two leaders as they have shown dedication to their welfare, security and progress.
Interestingly, Governor Uba Sani has been notching up one endorsement after the other by party executives, stalwarts and caucuses across the state as a result of his sterling performance that emphasises inclusivity, fairness, open and even development, especially rural areas and good governance in general in the state.
It will be recalled that on Friday February 28, stakeholders of the party across the state also passed a vote of confidence on President Bola Tinubu and Governor Uba Sani, for their “exemplary leadership and pro-people policies”.
The stakeholders gave the endorsement at a meeting which was held at the Kaduna State Liaison office in Abuja. State Secretary of the party, Yahaya Baba-Pate, in a statement said the meeting was chaired by Governor Uba Sani, the leader of APC in Kaduna State, and was attended by Rt. Honourable Abbas Tajudeen, Speaker, House of Representative and former Governor Mukhtar Ramalan Yero.
The meeting, the scribe noted, reviewed the outcome of the recent zonal and state meetings, welcomed new members and returnees to the party, as well as appraised ‘’the performance of the APC administration both at the Federal and State levels.’’ Additionally, the stakeholders also resolved that caucus meetings should be held at zonal, local government, and ward levels before the second anniversary of the APC-led administration, ‘’where new members and returnees will be introduced.’’
It then directed that ‘’relevant stakeholders should open or reinvigorate party offices in wards, local government areas, and zonal levels within the next three months.’’
Other party stalwarts in attendance include the Honourable Minister of Environment, Malam Balarabe Abbas Lawal, the National Vice Chairman (North West Zone) of the APC, Honourable Garba Datti Muhammad (Babawo) and the Speaker, Kaduna State House of Assembly, Rt. Honourable Dahiru Liman, attended the meeting.
Others are the Deputy Speaker, Kaduna State House of Assembly, Hon. Barr. Henry Magaji; Majority Leader, Kaduna State House of Assembly, Hon. Munira Tanimu; the Chairman, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, Malam Yusuf Hamisu Abubakar; and the Chairman, Public Complaint Commission, Alhaji Bashir Abubakar were at the meeting.
It must be stated that the show of love and expression of confidence in Governor Uba Sani administration is because of the various impactful initiatives his administration has embarked upon. In the realm of security, he has popularized the Kaduna Model which prioritizes non-kinetic approach in tackling insecurity. Its success is highlighted by the positive results recorded in a place like Birnin Gwari, a place long plagued by insecurity such that for a decade, nobody was able to do any business of trading in the Cattle Market, said to be the largest, in the area. That has now been revised and commercial activities going on. This is in addition to his administration’s investment in modern surveillance technology to bolster security efforts.
On infrastructure, Governor Sani has initiated numerous road construction and rehabilitation projects, improving connectivity and access to remote areas. His focus on upgrading healthcare facilities and educational institutions has further demonstrated his commitment to enhancing the quality of life for residents.
In terms of governance, Uba Sani has championed an inclusive and transparent administration, engaging with community leaders and stakeholders to ensure that diverse voices are heard in decision-making processes. He has implemented policies aimed at empowering women and youth, fostering economic development through skill acquisition programs and support for small businesses.
Additionally, his administration has prioritized agricultural development, promoting food security and job creation. By fostering partnerships with private sector players, Governor Uba Sani has attracted investments to the state. Collectively, these efforts have solidified his reputation as a proactive, responsive and responsible leader in Kaduna State. From all indications, Kaduna is looking good ahead of the 2027 general elections for President Bola Tinubu, Governor Uba Sani and the APC.
• Adjogri-Kusu, a political affairs analyst, writes from Kafachan, Kaduna State