Uba Sani: Acting on Sardauna’s script

Sir Ahmadu Bello loomed large across the arena in size, political stature and achievements. Sardauna, as he was called, built people, edifices and institutions as the premier of Northern Nigeria. However, the Colossus was killed in 1966 and to date, his political dexterity remains unparalleled in the North.

Specifically, Senator Uba Sani, the Kaduna state governor, is approximating him in some respects. Right now, he is building bridges, embracing people and accommodating all tendencies on the political spectrum. Figuratively, he has erected a big tent and Muslim clerics, as well as Christian clergymen, including politicians and non-partisans, the young and old, are now under one roof. Likewise, projects are spread across local governments, amongst the three senatorial districts and between urban and rural areas. The governor, for all intents and purposes, is deliberate about inclusion.

Last October, he hosted elders and senior citizens, comprising retired Generals and civil servants, accomplished businessmen, seasoned politicians from all parties, as well as elder statesmen of Kaduna State. Alhaji Abubakar Mustapha, former Head of Service, and retired General Zamani Lekwot, are co-chairmen of the Kaduna Elders/Senior Citizens Forum, a peace-building advisory body. Similarly, in his strategic engagement, Senator Uba Sani chairs the quarterly Inter-Religious Harmony Committee, where he rubs minds with religious leaders.

Last Saturday, he hosted the Kaduna State Council of Ulama and Imams, at Sir Kashim Ibrahim House, to the breaking of the Ramadan fast. In particular, Sheikh Khalifa Sani Zaria, Sheikh Tukur Al Mannar and Imam Kabir Kassim, Chief Imam of Kafanchan, as well as Malam Muhammadu Mai Barota, were at the Iftar. Similarly, Christian clergymen like Reverend Joseph Hayab, Kaduna State CAN Chairman, Archbishop Matthew Man-oso Ndagoso, Reverend Bitrus Gajere and Apostle Comfort Kato, were among the 35 pastors who broke fast with the governor on Sunday.

Politically, Governor Uba Sani has been wooing the opposition, in the last 10 months, to join hands in building Kaduna State. Indeed, the spokesman of Kaduna State PDP Campaign Council, Alhaji Yakubu Lere, has harkened to the call and last July, he pitched a tent with APC. Likewise, the Chairman of Chikun Local Government, Mr Salasi Musa and his Councillors have left PDP, a party on whose platform they were voted into office. Similarly, Kajuru Local Government Chairman, Hon Ibrahim Gajere, has voted with his feet, and so has Hon Mathias Siman, his counterpart at Kaura Area Council. Last Monday, Alhaji Mukhtar Ramalan Yero, ex-Governor of Kaduna State, formally ditched PDP for the ruling APC.

Likewise, financial inclusion tops the Governor’s agenda, from signing an Executive Order to empowering Micro, Medium and Small Enterprises, as well as providing succour to individuals. Last Monday, Senator Uba Sani flagged – off the distribution of palliatives, especially to the poor, vulnerable and underserved, as well as senior citizens of Kaduna State. Cumulatively, the Government is spending N11.4 billion for the exercise. Indeed, 128 trucks of rice and maize worth N3.4 billion, were distributed, targeting 200,000 households, in this second round of palliatives distribution. Approximately, 1,000,000 persons are expected to benefit across the three senatorial districts.

Similarly, the sum of N4.2 billion has been earmarked for cash, grants, fertilizer and farm inputs distribution. Beneficiaries include vulnerable households, smallholder farmers and MSMEs, as well as Persons With Disability, Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), and Orphans, including market women and youths. Likewise, N3.3 billion has been released for Pension and Gratuities, as well as Death Benefits to families of deceased civil servants. Besides, civil servants are benefitting from an N500 million Revolving Loan Scheme.

From enabling religious harmony to being even-handed to all citizens and providing succour to the vulnerable, including extending a handshake to political opponents, Sir Ahmadu Bello fostered the concept of “one north, one people”, Senator Uba Sani may as well be reading from that playbook.