Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani has said confronting individuals who exploit ethnic and religious divisions for political or personal gain was crucial to restoring peace in the state.
The governor made the statement in an interview, explaining that his administration had prioritized inclusive governance, economic development and the rebuilding of trust among communities previously divided by years of ethno-religious violence.
Sani described Kaduna as one of Nigeria’s most diverse states, arguing that sustainable peace could only be achieved by ensuring that every community felt represented and received a fair share of development, irrespective of religion, ethnicity or political affiliation.
He said his administration had deliberately challenged what he called “merchants of ethno-religious crises” — people he accused of exploiting communal tensions to advance their interests while ordinary citizens suffered the consequences.
According to him, Kaduna had gone three and a half years without an ethno-religious crisis under his administration, a development he attributed to efforts to bring religious leaders together and discourage the politics of division.
The governor, however, acknowledged that the challenge was not completely over, warning that complacency could allow those who benefit from conflict to regain influence.
‘Freedom of speech must not lead to violence’
Sani also addressed allegations that his administration was intolerant of opposition politicians, insisting that criticism of the government remained acceptable in a democracy.
He maintained, however, that he would not tolerate statements intended to incite ethnic or religious violence, arguing that protecting lives and property was part of his constitutional responsibility.
The governor said anyone accused of conduct capable of endangering lives should be dealt with through the law, adding that political disagreements should not be allowed to threaten peaceful coexistence.
Economic development as a weapon against insecurity
Sani identified poverty, unemployment and economic neglect as major factors contributing to insecurity in parts of Kaduna State, particularly in Birnin Gwari.
He explained that his administration adopted a community-driven approach to addressing the crisis, working with traditional institutions to understand the underlying causes of violence and kidnapping.
As an example, he recalled reopening two major markets in Birnin Gwari after they had remained closed for nine years. He said the reopening was linked to the release of 222 captives held by bandits, with all the victims freed within five days.
The governor added that his administration subsequently reopened schools, improved access to healthcare and invested in roads connecting farming communities to markets.
He said these interventions had helped revive agricultural activities, restore livelihoods and encourage communities to return to productive economic activities.
Sani further disclosed that his administration had increased the state’s agricultural budget from ₦1.4 billion to ₦110 billion, while prioritizing rural infrastructure and agricultural processing.
He said the government was also constructing new grain and livestock markets in Birnin Gwari to strengthen commerce and support farmers.
The governor maintained that peace could not be sustained through security operations alone, stressing that development, economic opportunity and cooperation among communities were equally important.
He said his administration would continue pursuing policies aimed at rebuilding trust, strengthening unity and preventing the exploitation of religious and ethnic differences across Kaduna State.
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