For Uba Sani at 54

BY HENRY UGBOLUE

It is usually not the easiest of tasks to write or speak openly about a person one has been very closely associated with for decades. What are you going to say and what are you going to leave out? But for me though, it is always a pleasure to have to share my thoughts about Comrade Uba Sani, the ebullient Governor of Kaduna State, who turns 54 years old today, 31 December 2024.

Meeting and getting acquainted with Uba Sani in the early 90s was fortuitous. He was a fledgling activist while I was a budding journalist in Kaduna. It was at the heat of the struggle for the actualization the electoral mandate of Chief Moshood Abiola which was illegally annulled by the military junta led by General Ibrahim Babangida. On June 12, 1993, Nigerians – irrespective of tribe, tongue, region and religion, had overwhelmingly voted for Abiola in the presidential election of that year, to become the nation’s elected leader. Clearly at its wits–end trying to convince not just Nigerians but the international community why it upended what was Nigeria’s glorious march to civil rule after decades of military dictatorships, the junta resorted to series of divide-and-rule schemes. Chief among these was the attempt to tribalise or regionalise the struggle to uphold the popular electoral mandate given to Chief M.K.O Abiola by a cross section of Nigerians. The system and its apparatchiks were on overdrivein especially the northern parts of Nigeria, convincing the leadership and the people not to join “the political battle of Yoruba people.”

It was a fallacy that several courageous northern leaders worked round the clock to debunk at a time when it seemed like the worst crime you could commit in Nigeria.  Even when many of these northern leaders did not seem to be very vocal about their opposition to the annulment, the likes of the Late Balarabe Musa, Commodore Dan Suleiman, Col. AbubakarDangiwa Umar, Col. Yuhana Madaki to name but a few, were relentlessly vocal. These leaders however drew strength from a crop of young, educated and extremely courageous men in that part of the country. A large number of these young activists were being coordinated by two former student union leaders who had barely graduated school – Comrades Shehu Sani and Uba Sani.

Adopting both overt and covert means, Shehu Sani and Uba Sani served as tireless and relentless bridges between fellow activists in the south and their colleagues in the north. Unfortunately, however, Shehu Sani was arrested for the umpteenth time – this time, for good. He was charged alongside several other pro-democracy leaders across the country for being “accessories to the facts’ of a failed coupplot against the military junta, now being headed by General Sani Abacha.

With Shehu Sani gone, Uba Sani grabbed the baton and continued doggedly with the race. But left in the lurch, Uba Sani had to learn rather quickly how to carry huge burdens with little or no help. The extremely intelligent Uba Sani devised ingenious ways of not just continuing the struggle but raising the bar even higher in the north. Working directly with more established civil rights and pro-democracy leaders like Chief Gani Fawehinmi, Femi Falana, Joe Okei, Chima Ubani, Nike Beko Ransom-Kuti (whose father was also imprisoned by the junta at the time), to name just a few, Uba Sani expanded the struggle to bring attention to the plights of the late General Shehu Musa Yar’Adua and the deposed Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Ibrahim Dasuki, who were both also incarcerated by the junta. The rest, as they say, is history.  

Like most other persons familiar with the antecedents of Senator Uba Sani, the Governor of Kaduna State, I am not at all surprised that he is today boldly ranked among Nigeria’s most promising leaders.

Uba Sani’s can-do spirit and raw courage are matched only by his crisp intellect. In the 9th Senate, where he represented Kaduna Central Senatorial District for four years, his dexterity was all-too apparent. Senator Uba Sani conceptualised and sponsored 32 bills, including three seeking constitutional amendments to allow States to establish their own Police Force and State Police Service Commissions. Even more important, his bills were ranked as the most progressive billsin that session of the Upper Chamber of the National Assembly.

It is not my intention to dwell much on Uba Sani’s colossal achievements so far, as the Governor of Kaduna State. This is just to celebrate him and firmly attest to his tenacity, capacity, sagacity and leadership acumen.  With a pedigree that is steeped in crusading for the people, especially the oppressed,and also with a sterling record as a legislator, the very seasoned Uba Sani recognises the importance of pro-peoplepolicies and open governance in strengthening democracy, curbing corruption and promoting better development. He is well aware that if citizens do not know how decisions are made, how taxes are spent or who is responsible for critical actions within government, citizens can hardly be assured that the government is working for their benefit.

The Kaduna State Governor holds transparency, accountability and citizens’ participation in governance as necessary conditions to ensure that public resources are used efficiently, public policies are designed in the best interest of the population and that government acts with integrity. To this end, since assuming office in May 29, 2023, Governor Uba Sani has instituted the requisite environment and conditions for citizens’ participation in public policies and processes enabling them to hold authorities to account.

A glaring pointer to the effectiveness of Governor Uba Sani’s open governance policy is the successes the administration has recorded so far in curbing and radically degrading the once seemingly intractable problem of insecurity in Kaduna State.Reports from the Kaduna Peace Commission confirm that 2024 witnessed unprecedented peace, across the statewith bandits in conflict-prone areas laying down their arms and embracing dialogue.

As Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State celebrates his 54th birthday, I want to take a moment to honour his remarkable leadership, dedication, and service to the people of Kaduna State. Since he assumed office, Governor Sani has consistently demonstrated a deep commitment to the development and prosperity of the state. His visionary policies, tireless work ethic, and passion for uplifting the lives of the people of Kaduna have set a standard for public service excellence.

Under his leadership, Kaduna has experienced growth in critical sectors such as infrastructure, education, and security, with a focus on opening up and creating opportunities in hitherto underserved rural communities across the state. His resilience, strategic thinking, and ability to bring people together have earned him the respect of citizens and leaders alike.

We celebrate not just a distinguished leader but also a visionary whose unwavering commitment to the progress of Kaduna State continues to inspire and uplift the lives of its people. As Governor, Uba Sani has exemplified resilience, wisdom, and the rare ability to bring transformative change to his state, ensuring a legacy that will endure for generations to come. We celebrate also his humanity, compassion, and unwavering devotion to the well-being of the people. We pray for continued success in his leadership and for abundant blessings in all his endeavours. Happy 54th birthday, the Comrade Governor.

Ugbolue lives in Abuja.