By Achadu Gabriel, Kaduna
The Southern Kaduna Journalists’ Forum (SKJF), has called on Kaduna State Governor, Senator Uba Sani to implement the court judgement that annulled the dethronement of Piriga monarch, Chief Jonathan Paraguwa Zamuna under ex-Governor Nasir Ahmed el-Rufai’s last days of his departure.
The forum in a press statement signed by its Chairman, Ango Bally, urged Governor Sani “to demonstrate the pro-democracy and rule of law that he stands for, as evidence in his participation for the realisation of June 12 election struggle.
According to the forum, it’s a demonstration of his government respect to implement the judgement which declared the dethronement null and void and ordered for the reinstatement of Chief Zamuna with all privileges restored.
Honourable Justice Bashir Attahiru Alkali’s judgement of the National Industrial Court sitting in Kaduna, had on June 10, 2024 declared the dethronement of Chief Zamuna on 22nd May 2023, null and void for lack of fair hearing and ordered for his reinstatement with all salaries arrears paid and all privileges restored within 30 days.
The court also ordered Kaduna state government to pay Chief Zamuna 10 million Naira damages for the violation of his fundamental human rights. The copy of judgement has already been released.
This is in consonance with the former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s called for constitutional reform to protect traditional institutions in Nigeria, by recognising and defining their responsibilities, lamenting that “recent developments in the country have seen a growing tendency of state governments exerting influence in distorting the modalities of enthroning traditional stools.”
“SKJF equally recognises Gov. Sani’s laudable efforts in uniting the state towards achieving sustainable piece through the formation of the Kaduna Elders Forum Co-Chaired by the duo of the former Military Governor of Old Rivers State, Retired General Zamani Lekwot and former Head of Service, Abubakar Mustapha, with highly respected personalities as members, to help chat a new course for the unity and development of the state”, it stated.
The forum congratulated Gov. Uba Sani for marking one year in office, and “particularly lauded his efforts towards inclusive governance as evident with the recent inauguration of development projects that cut across southern and northern parts of the state.”
SKJF however “called on the Governor Sani to go some steps further in addressing the aspect of skewed political appointments in favour of Northern Kaduna to the detriment of the Southern region” a deliberate practice, it noted, was “entrenched by ex-Governor Nasir Ahmad el-Rufai which he ingeniously exploited as a divide and rule tactic that left the state more divided along religious fault lines than he met it”
“This, we expect Governor Uba Sani to take deliberate practical steps to reconcile the regrettable retrogressive politics that Malam el-Rufai instituted by building bridges of unity and inclusive politics across the state for sustainable development to be achieved,” the statement stressed.
The forum also commended Governor Uba Sani and the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen Christopher Gwabin Musa, for their collaborative efforts in tackling insecurity in the state.
In particular, forum is excited about the efforts which has led to the establishment of three new military commands in Samaru, Zango-Kataf, Giwa, and Birnin-Gwari, in addition to a base to be set up by the Air Force in Millennium City, Chikun Local Area, all in Kaduna State.
It acknowledged that the establishment of three new military commands and an Air Force base in strategic locations across the state, which they believe will significantly impact war against banditry, kidnapping, and other security threats in the region.
Forum noted that the presence of additional military personnel is expected to improve security and provide farmers with a sense of safety so that they can access their lands without fear. It added that this development is particularly crucial for areas consistently targeted by banditry attacks.
It said Governor Sani’s commitment to ensuring the safety and well-being of the people is evident through his distribution of 150 patrol vehicles and 500 motorbikes to various security agencies in the state, adding that this initiative demonstrates his dedication to enhancing security measures.
This is coming on the hills of a two-day Security Summit of Governors of the seven states in the North West held in Katsina where they resolved to work together through robust regional cooperation to solve the seemingly intractable security challenges plaguing the zone.
The summit was in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and with support from the German and Norwegian governments.
