By Rabiu MUSA, Abuja
The Governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir EL-Rufai, is not sensitive to the issues in southern Kaduna.
This was the assertion of the former Secretary to the government of Federation, Babachir Lawal, as reported in a media chat.
His words: ” The Problem I see in Kaduna is that the State government led by governor Nasir EL-Rufai is not sensitive to the issues. Their utterances simply indicates that they are not sympathetic to the issues. Like I saw a write up by Shehu Sani today, he said,when it happened in Zamfara, government calls it banditry and they sympathized with the affected communities but when it happens in southern Kaduna, government starts to explain what is happening, rather than calling a spade exactly what it is and sympathising with the people.”
He added, ” So, it depends on how government handles the issues at all levels; from the federal to the State to local government and wards levels. I remember when banditry started in Sokoto and they overran a village, the state governor with all his cabinets went there to sympathize with the victims. They went with blankets, food items and other basic things. In some states, they don’t do that; rather than do that, they will even insult the communities that are the victims.”
Babachir asserted, ” That is, what is happening, incompetent governor and rulers in the North are responsible. The North is full of incompetent rulers. All they want is to ride in convoys and people are hailing and waiving at them. When they come home, people sit on the mats while they are the only one sitting on a chair because they are governors. They see themselves as deputy Jesus. They are not interested in serving the people, all they care about is ruling.”
Reacting on appointments in government, babachir queried the scenario where Christians are deprived key political position in Kaduna State despite their population.
His words: ” Why should Kaduna State end up with Muslim governor and Muslim deputy governor? The speaker is Muslim as well as the deputy speaker. Two cabinets ministers are also Muslims. There are about six or seven local government in Kaduna that are predominantly Christians.”
He warned, ” Nigeria must look at these issues because the day it will explode, it will surprise everybody. While elders like us are willing to tolerate these things because of peace and harmony, our children may not be able to do So because they can’t accept to be Northerners only during neglect when position are shared, election periods and suffer.”
He assured, ” My own motive is for a peaceful Nigeria in which we are our brother keepers. That is my message to Nigerians because God has blessed me to a stage where I was part of those running the government. So , I have a highest stake in ensuring that Nigeria works than most people because I have liability also. I am one of the people that God will hold accountable if Nigeria doesn’t work.”
