Religious leaders in Kaduna State have commended Governor Uba Sani for promoting peace, religious tolerance and inclusive governance, saying the state now enjoys improved relations between Christians and Muslims.
They made the commendation at a Special Interfaith Dialogue organised by the Kaduna State Bureau of Interfaith at the Brigadier Abba Kyari Banquet Hall, Government House, Kaduna.
The leaders attributed the development to the governor’s governance model, which they said was anchored on justice, fairness and inclusiveness.
Governor Sani, who recalled inheriting a deeply divided state in 2023, said his administration’s approach was to ensure fairness and bring all sections of society to the table.
“People have been asking me about our model. Our model is very simple. It is about justice. It is about bringing everyone to the table,” he said.
The Governor said; “Kaduna’s diversity made it imperative for the state to serve as a model of peaceful coexistence,” noting that he swore on the Qur’an to govern fairly, irrespective of ethnic or religious affiliation.
The Kaduna State Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Rev. Caleb Ma’aji, also commended the Governor’s inclusiveness, citing road projects and other interventions as evidence.
He said three road projects he requested during the 2024 Christmas Carol had been addressed, with two completed and the third nearing completion.
Ma’aji also praised the goyvernor for reintroducing Christian pilgrimage to Jordan and Jerusalem, sponsoring 50 Christians for pilgrimage and choosing a Christian, Mr Jerry Adams, as his running mate.
The Secretary-General of Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI), Khalid Aliyu, described Governor Sani as a peacemaker, saying the theme of the dialogue reflected the importance of investing in peace and inclusive governance.
Similarly, Sheikh Haliru Maraya cited improved security as evidence of the administration’s peace efforts.
He said before the current administration, insecurity had claimed 4,876 lives, led to 7,694 kidnappings, 1,660 recorded incidents, the closure of 534 schools and the abandonment of about 500 hectares of farmland.
Maraya said the situation had significantly improved, adding that all schools in the state are now open and farmers had returned to their farmlands.
The National Secretary of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), Bishop David Bakare, said although he did not vote for Governor Sani in 2023 because he did not know him, his assessment had changed after observing the administration’s performance.
The religious leaders unanimously called for continuity, urging Governor Sani to sustain his inclusive governance and peace-building efforts beyond 2027.
