Kaduna, lucky but still crying

A report in the Daily Trust edition of Wednesday, July 22, 2015 about anxiety over a planned demolition of some structures in Zaria appears very surprising to all progressive Nigerians. More shocking are the general misgivings being expressed lately by some citizens of Kaduna State against the action-parked style of the governor, Malam Nasir Ahmed […]

A report in the Daily Trust edition of Wednesday, July 22, 2015 about anxiety over a planned demolition of some structures in Zaria appears very surprising to all progressive Nigerians. More shocking are the general misgivings being expressed lately by some citizens of Kaduna State against the action-parked style of the governor, Malam Nasir Ahmed el-Rufa’i.
I thought, the many years of the locust which characterised governance in Kaduna State, combined with the rot in the local governments, dearth of infrastructure, youth restiveness and grinding poverty; had predisposed the people into accepting whatever measure, Governor El-Rufa’i (a.k.a) Me-Rusau, would introduce in stemming the rising ugly tide. But alas, that was not to be!
Take for instance, the position and status of Kaduna as the former capital of Northern Nigeria, once the pride of all northerners, and compare it with its peers like Kano and see the difference which is very clear.
Take a closer look too, at Kaduna metropolis in its present dilapidated form with all the potholes, squalid environment, narrow streets, and weather-beaten red corrugated roofs that constitute eyesore in comparison to other smaller states like Katsina, Dutse and Gombe metropolis with all their well-paved streets to appreciate the gravity of the degeneration in Kaduna at the moment.
It is unfortunate that since the time of the reformist Jihad of the great Danfodio, progress made in Zaria has been very little if any. Its water works has been a recurring nightmare. In fact, the underdevelopment is so graphic that were it possible for our fore-fathers to come back to life again, they would need nobody to guide them back to their ancestral homes.
In contrast, some states like Kano that have been fortunate enough to have the likes of late Audu Bako, late Abubakar Rimi, and lately Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso as governors have been elevated to higher level, whereas Kaduna State that has not been that lucky as far as good governance is concerned has stagnated.
When Governor El-Rufai was elected, many celebrated the wise choice of the people given his antecedents, political will, sheer personal energy and intellectual accomplishment, hoping that this time, the story will change for the overall benefit of the people of Kaduna State in particular and Nigeria in general. So why crying for being fortunate this time around?
I particularly used to have the feeling that having sanitised and transformed Abuja, with all the attendant positive consequences; the people have sworn to a covenant in accepting any measure however drastic and difficult, introduced, aimed at changing the ugly status-quo? But recent reactions are however, proving otherwise.
Let Malam Nasir el-Rrufai therefore execute his policies without fear or favour by going ahead with the demolition of any structure that stands in the way; especially in Zaria where the ultra-conservatism of the people knows no bounds, because as it appears, the people need to be helped against themselves.
And if they (Zazzagawa) are not ready to embrace the change mantra of the new action governor, we in Kano will be left with no choice other than to re-open the Kasuwar Kurumi Slave Market for the ready supply of any hard-headed Bazazzagi who is not ready to adapt to the new trends, ok?
Kabiru Inuwa  [email protected]