The so-called “Muslim Youth of Kafanchan and Jema’a Emirate” who authored the recent petition to Governor Uba Sani deserve to be told the bitter truth: they are an ungrateful, misguided bunch of political errand boys trying to drag Southern Kaduna — and indeed the entire state — back into the dark, hateful days of ethnic and religious strife that Governor Uba Sani has worked tirelessly to heal.
Their letter, draped in false humility and coated with self-serving appeals, is nothing more than a political tantrum by a few disgruntled elements who have lost grip of the privilege and patronage they have enjoyed for nearly a decade. It reeks of selective amnesia, deceit, and political blackmail.
Let’s set the records straight.
1. Jema’a Emirate Has Enjoyed Overwhelming Government Representation Since 2015
It is laughable — indeed pathetic — that the same group claiming “marginalisation” has benefitted disproportionately from both the El-Rufai and Uba Sani administrations. Since 2015, appointments into sensitive and strategic offices meant for Jema’a LGA have been dominated by individuals from the tiny population in Emirate.
A brief reminder: Dr. Hadiza Balarabe, an indigene of the Emirate, has been Deputy Governor of Kaduna State since 2019 — first under El-Rufai and now under Uba Sani.
The immediate past Head of Service of Kaduna State came from the Emirate.
Sanusi Maikudi, a self-styled comrade who specialises in instigating conflict served as General Manager of Kaduna State Water Corporation.
The current Deputy Accountant General hails from the Emirate.
The Head of KACHMA is from the Emirate.
Adamu Makadi, also from the Emirate, served as Chairman of the Teachers’ Service Board from El-Rufai’s tenure until recently.
The current LGA party Chairman is from the Emirate.
The Secretary of the local government is also from the so-called Emirate, aside two elected Counsellors and Supervisory Counsellors appointed by the government.
How many communities in Southern Kaduna can boast such concentration of power and influence over a ten-year span?
While other wards, like Kagoma, have lost a senior commissioner without resorting to writing blackmail letters to the governor, these self-styled “Muslim youth” have the audacity to claim exclusion. That is not advocacy — it is arrogance masquerading as entitlement.
2. Political Hypocrisy and Hidden Agendas
It is no secret that some elements within the Emirate , ranking members of the ruling party, APC, have been working with opposition figures, including remnants of El-Rufai’s inner circle and members of the ADC, to destabilise the peace and political stability of Jema’a and to frustrate the re-election of His Excellency Uba Sani come 2027 .
Let’s not pretend: the people of Ward A and B, which make up the Emirate, a population of less than 200,000 people, have become willing tools in this cynical game of political sabotage. Their traditional, political, and religious leaders are all aware of this quiet conspiracy — a desperate effort to undermine Uba Sani’s inclusive governance and stop his re-election in 2027.
The sudden “petition” is nothing more than a poorly disguised political stunt aimed at provoking ethnic resentment, sowing division, and discrediting a governor who has refused to play the old politics of sectarian favoritism.
Governor Uba Sani’s administration is building bridges of peace — investing in projects and policies that bring people together beyond religious and ethnic lines. Yet these so-called youth seem determined to light old fires, just because their personal taps of political patronage have slowed to a trickle.
3. Developmental Facts Don’t Lie
In terms of physical development, no part of Jema’a Local Government has benefitted more than the Emirate since 2015.
The kilometres of road network constructed in the Emirate alone are three times what has been done in the remaining ten wards combined. Few days ago , Honourable Peter Tanko Dogara, the Executive Chairman, led the groundbreaking ceremony for the road construction , through the emirate (Zauru Road connecting Bauchi Street ). From roads to culverts, boreholes, appointments, infrastructure to political representation, Jema’a Emirate has received more than a fair share.
So, to now turn around and play the victim card — painting the governor as neglectful — is not only dishonest but deeply insulting to the intelligence of Kaduna people who can see through the charade.
As for the so-called “abandoned” Kafanchan township road project, the youth would do well to understand that developmental planning is phased and strategic. Projects are prioritised based on need, technical feasibility, and resource allocation — not on the volume of blackmail letters.
Uba Sani’s administration inherited many uncompleted projects and has been working systematically to complete them in line with the Kaduna infrastructure renewal plan. No amount of ethnic noise-making will alter the order of priority.
4. A Governor of Equity, Not Ethnic Favouritism
Governor Uba Sani is the first Kaduna governor in recent history to pursue genuine, inclusive peace across the state. He has met with religious leaders, youth groups, and traditional rulers from all divides. His administration has empowered Christian and Muslim communities alike, not based on where they come from, but based on the sincerity of their contribution to peace and progress.
It is this fairness that has unsettled those who built their influence on the old fault lines of ethnicity and religion. They cannot survive in a Kaduna where citizens are judged by merit and not identity — and so they invent tales of “marginalisation” to stay politically relevant.
Governor Uba Sani owes no apology for building a Kaduna that belongs to all.
5. The So-Called Petition Is a Threat to Peace
Let’s call things by their names. That petition is not “a respectful expression of concern.” It is a deliberate attempt to incite division among communities that are finally beginning to heal. By painting a narrative of exclusion and discrimination, the authors hope to rekindle suspicion and tension between the Muslim and Christian populations of Kafanchan — a fragile area that has seen too much bloodshed in the past.
That is reckless. That is dangerous. And that is why every responsible leader, Muslim and Christian alike, must reject the divisive rhetoric of these so-called youth.
6. Conclusion: A Word to the Misguided
The young men, and the old men, and the sponsors of this petition should be ashamed of their collective treachery. While they are speaking for the tiny population of Muslim in Kafanchan who make up less than 9% of the LGA population — what if the 91% who are Christians (in 10 Wards) also start writing petitions insisting projects and appointments must be spread, would the Emirate get much? It is very clear that their fading political godfathers are instigating them to ignite trouble, but the youth must be careful.
Governor Uba Sani is not a governor for rent-seekers or political blackmailers. He is a governor for builders, reformers, and peace advocates — for those who value equity over entitlement.
The APC in Southern Kaduna is growing stronger precisely because of this inclusive spirit. The recent decamping of prominent Southern Kaduna leaders to the APC has unsettled those who feed on division. That is the real motive behind this petition — a fear that unity and peace will finally bury the politics of hatred.
Let it be known: Kaduna State has moved on. The era of ethnic privilege and religious blackmail is over. Those who cannot adapt to this new order are free to sulk — but they will not drag us back to darkness.
Signed:
Ahmed Maigari
Kaduna State Concerned Stakeholders for Peace/Progress and Uba Sani’s Re-election 2027
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