Developing Sanga LGA: Allow reason to rule

Contemporary developments in Sanga Local Government Area (SALGA), dictate caution over the deleterious, creeping tendency of religious manipulation, and deception to contaminate political values and choices in the place. For instance, there is a growing speculation which is flying on the wings of religious sentiments that for refusing to support the ruling All Progressive Congress […]

Contemporary developments in Sanga Local Government Area (SALGA), dictate caution over the deleterious, creeping tendency of religious manipulation, and deception to contaminate political values and choices in the place. For instance, there is a growing speculation which is flying on the wings of religious sentiments that for refusing to support the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) in the 2019 and just concluded re-run election of January 2020, that my people have nailed the development that should have come to them.

This worrisome contention could have come from none but political jobbers and opportunists who would stop at nothing to appropriate political power not for the greater good of the people but their parochial interests. Ordinarily, in a heterogeneous society like ours, political contest should be conducted on the basis of issues that will unite the society and not otherwise.

The truth must be told that before the 2019 election and the recent re-run election of January 2020, religion was never a factor in the politics of Sanga local government. Previous campaigns for elections were based on the manifestoes of the parties the candidates stood for. Hence, those who were elected got their mandate not very much on their personal merit but because of the party or parties they contested under. Some of them who belonged to the right parties, specifically the ruling parties were able to attract solid projects to the Local Government. For example, the two secondary schools and a hospital presently located in Mayir, Gwantu and Fadan Ninzo were brought by Alhaji Dogara Musa, when he was a member in the Kaduna State House of Assembly under the defunct National Party of Nigeria (NPN). Similarly, Hon. Polycarp Abu Ambi was also able to influence Governor Makarfi in 2003 and attracted three major roads which were constructed in the Local Government after he convinced the people to abandon the opposition Party ANPP and voted overwhelmingly for the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

This was the type of politics we expected in 2019 with expectations of bountiful development opportunities designated for us on a platter of gold through the nomination of our sister Dr Hadizah Sabuwa Balarbe as the Deputy Governor of Kaduna State. However, instead of celebrating Governor Nasir El-rufai for the honour done to us and celebrating our sister, some of our people have been misguided into joining the chorus of “we don’t want her because she is a Muslim”. This was the chorus sang by our enemies who for long did not recognize us as part of Kaduna State, hence did not imagine that anything good could come from Sanga. But today Dr Balarabe has changed all that. Like Alexander Pope averred many centuries ago, “for forms of government let fools contend, whatever is better administered is best”. Similarly, whoever becomes a leader in Kaduna State, his or her religious faith remains immaterial as the most important thing is that let such take us to the Promised Land.

In the context of contemporary political realities, Sanga people should shine their eyes and not to be misled to reject the Biblical Esther who has been placed strategically at the corridor of power to liberate us from many years of marginalisation and neglect. Some of us easily recall how the Jaba people celebrated AVM Usman Mu’azu when he was appointed the military Governor of Kaduna State in 1984. They did not reject him because he was a Muslim but celebrated him. They knew that being one of them at the helm affairs of the state, he would attract projects to Jaba land in addition to appointments of the people into important positions in the state government. Now we are in a similar position, instead of emulating our brothers and sisters from Jaba we have allowed ourselves to be manipulated by religious hypocrites who go to church only during the period of campaigns with hang-over from revelry written over their faces.

His Excellency, Governor Nasir El-rufai has repeatedly pointed out that he selected Dr. Balarabe as his Deputy not on the basis of any religious agenda but purely on merit and also to compensate the people of Sanga for their support in the 2015 election. However, instead of the elite of Sanga, irrespective of political divide, to perceive the selection of Dr. Balarabe in the greater interest of political, economic and socio-cultural development of the local government, they have allowed myopic religious sentiments to becloud their sense of reasoning.

However, for us to benefit from the bountiful opportunities which His Excellency, Governor Nasiru El-rufai has provided for us through the choice of Dr. Balarabe as his Deputy, we need to support his political party and government. No government will empower her enemies. The premier of Eastern Nigeria in the First Republic Dr. Michael Okpara, told his listeners at a campaign rally that “I will give you all the amenities you require but first you must vote for me”.

Dr. Balarabe also deserves our love, acceptance and support not rejection on the basis of creed. A rejection for Dr. Balarabe’s party in Sanga shows that she is like a “prophet that is not accepted in his home town”.  A prophet that is not accepted in his home town does not perform any miracle there.

This homily on allowing reason rather than religious sentiments dictate our political values, has become necessary for the good of our community; as to keep quiet on such, is to allow evil to thrive. For according to the English statesman and philosopher Edmund Burke “All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men should do nothing”. Therefore, we will speak out and say the truth because some of us have also been victims of similar blackmail.

My final word to my people in Sanga is that we should jettison religious sentiments and embrace the path of development. Ours is a multi-ethnic, multi-religious and multi-cultural society of people who have been living in peace for years. We have learnt over the years to embrace and tolerate our religious differences. For instance, the Ayu Chiefdom is 95% Muslim but the chief confidants of the paramount ruler are Mr Gambo Amark and Dr Ishaya Habu, both of whom are Christians. In Fadan Ninzo Chiefdom, the population is about 99% Christians but they have been living in peace under Muslim Paramount rulers.

Therefore, the people of Sanga, let us come together and fight against the forces that want to divide us. We have a common enemy, which is backwardness.

Dr. Ishaya Sarki Habu is Dan Masani, Ayu.