Bomba Dauda
The Southern Kaduna Professionals Forum has cautioned political actors against dragging the region into the ongoing controversies surrounding former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, insisting that the suffering of its people must not be reduced to “political ammunition.”
In a strongly worded statement issued on Thursday and signed by its spokesperson, Arc. Samuel Yakubu, the forum said Southern Kaduna endured painful experiences during the immediate past administration and warned against attempts to exploit those memories for political vendettas.
“Southern Kaduna is not a tool for elite political battles. Our pain is not a campaign slogan, and our losses are not bargaining chips in power struggles,” the statement read.
The forum recalled that several communities in the region experienced persistent security challenges, displacement and destruction of property during the period, noting that the consequences are still being felt by families, farmers and business owners.
According to the group, beyond insecurity, urban renewal exercises carried out at the time allegedly resulted in demolitions that disrupted livelihoods, while civil society organisations and journalists also raised concerns about shrinking civic space.
“The scars of those years are real. They live in displaced families, abandoned farmlands, struggling businesses and communities still trying to rebuild,” the statement added.
A Shift in Governance Approach
However, the forum acknowledged what it described as a “notable shift” under the current administration of Uba Sani, commending his inclusive governance model and deliberate efforts to unite the diverse ethnic and religious communities of Kaduna State.
Since assuming office, Governor Sani has repeatedly emphasised reconciliation, dialogue and equitable development, particularly in areas that experienced insecurity and communal tensions.
According to the forum, the governor’s peace-building engagements, security consultations and outreach initiatives have contributed to easing tensions and rebuilding trust in parts of Southern Kaduna that previously felt marginalised.
“Kaduna State must move forward on the pillars of justice, inclusion and shared prosperity. Healing requires sincerity, and rebuilding requires fairness,” the group noted.
The forum also highlighted key federal and state-backed developmental projects receiving support under the current administration, describing them as strategic interventions aimed at correcting historical neglect.
Among them is the establishment of the Federal University of Applied Sciences Kachia, a project expected to expand access to science and technology-based education in the region.
Similarly, the approval for the Federal Medical Centre Kafanchan has been widely welcomed as a major boost to healthcare delivery, reducing the burden on residents who previously had to travel long distances for specialised medical services.
The forum further noted ongoing rural infrastructure projects, including road rehabilitation, rural electrification and agricultural support programmes, particularly targeted at farming communities recovering from years of insecurity.
“These interventions are not acts of charity; they are obligations of responsible governance. Southern Kaduna deserves development, not sympathy,” the statement emphasised.
While clarifying that its position was not driven by revenge, the forum reiterated its demand for what it described as a transparent and lawful review of policies and actions undertaken during the former governor’s tenure.
“Accountability is not persecution. Review is not revenge. Justice is not hatred. If governance decisions led to avoidable suffering, democratic institutions must examine them,” it stated.
The group cautioned individuals and associations from Southern Kaduna who may be aligning with political interests to refrain from using the region’s history as leverage in ongoing disputes.
“The memory of those who lost their lives must not be trivialised for temporary alliances. Southern Kaduna must not be weaponised in political chess games,” the forum warned.
Maintaining that its position was anchored on truth, healing and institutional reforms, the forum concluded:
“Power is transient. Authority is temporary. History is permanent. Every leader must understand that decisions taken in office echo long after tenure ends. What our people seek is not political drama, but justice, unity and sustainable development.”
End.
