From Femi Oyelola, Kaduna
The Association of Non-Indigenes for Governor Uba Sani has pledged to rally members across Kaduna State to support the re-election of Governor Uba Sani in 2027, highlighting his administration’s significant accomplishments in security, infrastructure, and inclusive governance.
The pledge was made during a courtesy visit to the Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Dr. Sule Shu’aibu, SAN, who serves as Patron of the Association.
Speaking for the group, the Convener, Chief Johnny Nwankwere, said the Association was created to mobilize non-indigenous communities to back the governor’s development vision.
He described the governor’s leadership as fostering a sense of belonging among all residents, regardless of their background.
In his response, Dr. Shu’aibu provided a detailed overview of the administration’s accomplishments, especially in security, which he stated has become the foundation for development over the past three years.
“When his Excellency the Governor assumed office on 29th May 2023, the security situation in Kaduna was something else, completely.
“As at the time his Excellency the Governor assumed office, you can hardly criss-cross any part of Kaduna State without fear of having attacks, whether of banditry, whether of kidnapping, whether of criminality in every sense of it,” Dr. Shu’aibu recalled.
He said the governor’s priority was to restore peace, noting that “if there can be peace, development will definitely follow.”
This, he said, led to the introduction of the now widely copied Kaduna peace model.
“The Kaduna peace model is a model that most of the northwest governors or states in the northwest have copied from us.
“They have come to understudy what His Excellency the Governor has been doing in Kaduna state that they are not doing in their own state,” the Commissioner said.
Dr. Shu’aibu cited tangible improvements, noting that roads once considered death traps are now safe for travel.
“Hitherto, it is not easy for you to ply the road from Kaduna to Abuja without fear of attack. It wasn’t easy for you to think about going to Southern Kaduna, up to Jos, without fear of being attacked.
“It was also not easy for you to go towards Zaria without an attack.
“Most importantly, you cannot ply from here to Birnin Gwari without being attacked.
“But today, what is the difference? It is clear enough for the blind to see.
“The sounds are clear for the deaf to hear. You can move from Kaduna now to Birnin Gwari without fear of being attacked.”
He further highlighted the reopening of the Kara International Cattle Market in Birnin Gwari after more than 10 years of closure due to insecurity, noting that it is now fully operational.
On international recognition, the Commissioner said the UK government had downgraded Kaduna from the “red” to the “amber” category, meaning the state is no longer classified as high-risk.
“Just on the 17th of June, a few weeks back, the UK minister of international development and Africa was here together with her team from the FCDO. They drove all the way from Abuja to Kaduna on the the road without security.
“ They didn’t come by air, they came by road, and they paid a courtesy visit to His Excellency the Governor,”he said.
Dr. Shu’aibu also linked the improved security to ongoing development, noting that the Kaduna-Birnin Gwari road construction is progressing without any security challenge due to federal and state collaboration.
“Without security, you cannot have development in terms of road networks, in terms of health, in terms of agriculture, name it,” he said.
He added that to address urban crime, the governor constituted a special task force that works day and night to ensure residents can move freely.
“What His Excellency has done for us in Kaduna State as of today, I can safely say we are the ones who are indebted to him.
“We are indebted to him because today we can all go and sleep with our eyes closed, unlike before,” Dr. Shu’aibu said.
He therefore urged the Association and all residents to reciprocate by ensuring the governor returns in 2027.
“If you have an achiever, if you have somebody who is recording greatly, will you want to change that person? No, sir… it is good that Uba Sani comes back again,” he said.
Earlier, Chief Nwankwere reaffirmed the Association’s commitment to peace and mobilization.
“We are committed to mobilizing our members across the various ethnic and non-indigenous communities to embrace peaceful coexistence, and most importantly, massively support the re-election of Governor Uba Sani for a second term in office come 2027,” he said.
He announced plans for a road rally this month and requested support for T-shirts, face caps, banners, and refreshments.
He also pledged the group’s collaboration with the Ministry on intelligence gathering and conflict prevention.
Dr. Shu’aibu assured the group of government support and urged them to continue promoting harmony in their communities.
“Please live harmoniously with traditional rulers, religious leaders, youth, and women.
“We are people of peace, and we recognize you as such. If you see something, you should say something,” he concluded.
