By Musa Baba Adamu
The Middle Belt Forum, (MBF), Kaduna State chapter, has accused Governor Uba Sani of continuing the marginalization of Southern Kaduna and Middle Belt settler communities.
According to the Forum, “Since 1999, under the administration of former Governor Ahmed Makarfi and subsequent administrations, these communities have not experienced meaningful infrastructural development. Basic social amenities such as good road networks, schools, and hospitals are lacking.
“The Southern Kaduna and Middle Belt settler communities have often been used as tools for winning elections.
“While the Makarfi government showed some respect for the Southern Kaduna people, it was during his time that the former PDP candidate, Ashiru, introduced Sharia law into the state House of Assembly.”
Comrade Daniel Okpe Ejembi, Chairman, MBF, Kaduna Chapter, in a statement yesterday noted that subsequent governments have followed a similar trajectory saying that the situation worsened under Governor Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, who introduced a Muslim-Muslim ticket.
“His administration collapsed the economic viability of Southern Kaduna and Middle Belt settlement areas,” the Forum added.
Continuing, the MBF accused Governor Uba Sani of continuing the marginalization of Southern Kaduna and Middle Belt settler communities.
“The current administration of Governor Uba Sani, has demonstrated similar biases. Despite claims of being people-friendly, his religious bias and lack of infrastructural development in Middle Belt settlement areas are evident.
“The administration has prioritized social media infrastructure over physical projects, with zero road projects, zero school renovations, and zero social amenities in Middle Belt areas,” the Forum alleged.
It added that the governor’s lopsided appointments and imposition of Muslim vice chairmen in Christian local government areas without replicating the same in Muslim areas further exacerbate the situation, saying that the announcement of local government chairmen without elections raises concerns about the violation of voters’ fundamental human rights.
“As Middle Belt and Southern Kaduna indigenous people, our demand is clear: we can no longer be used as election-winning tools. We seek viable social and cultural recognition, with a clear agenda for infrastructural and economic development in our areas,” the Forum stated.
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