Democracy & Governance
Southern Kaduna And The Issue of ‘Zazzau State Of Kaduna’: A Wake Up Call For El-Rufa’i -By Muhammed-Bello Buhari
The Governor and the government of Kaduna State must as a matter of urgency, wake up and realise the urgency of the moment, they must treat everyone as equal, protect the lives of everyone whether or not the affected communities are the ones killing themselves by themselves as alleged by some sources. The right to life is a fundamental right for everyone, and no one should be left to die because of the actions or inactions of the person(s) around them.
It’s not fair to be attacking the Southern Kaduna people for saying that Mal. Nasir Ahmed El-Rufa’i is neglecting them or is giving unfair preferential treatment to a particular group of people, or for calling him a political and tribal bigot. I don’t and cannot blame them for that, the Governor has given them enough reasons for that. I for instance, believe that El-Rufai is an agent of favoritism looking at his Zazzagawa dominated cabinet. It’s very obvious that Zazzau is being given unfair preferential treatment in El-Rufai led administration. And it didn’t start in this administration, this has been the norm since 1999. One may wonder how they get to be treated this way, even though they usually used to be the opposition in most administrations, but that’s a topic for a roundtable discussion.
Be that as it may, the Governor himself, the HoS, CoS, SSG, and other key inner cabinet members are all from Zaria. But it seems that this facts don’t bother us, it only bother us when it’s Northern – Southern or Muslim – Christian unfair treatments.
A first class Chief from Adara Kingdom was abducted, humiliated in the bushes, shot dead and dumped on the highway but our government didn’t show any remorse like they showed to Zazzau Emirate, in fact, not even close to that. Now, I am not saying that the Adara Kingdom is rich in history or in capacity as Zazzau Emirate but the Adara people saw what happened to their Late Chief, how the government responded and also how the government is responding to Zazzau Emirate now;
The Late Emir (May Allah forgive his shortcomings) died peacefully, 3 days of mourning was announced together with one day of holiday in his honour. And ever since, the Governor has intellectualized the replacement by reading some books and articles all in order to select a new Emir for the Emirate. All these are welcomed and appreciated, because it’s worthy enough. But what about the Adara Kingdom and it’s subjects? How are they swallowing what is transpiring today about the Zazzau Emirate? Do you know that no effort has been made by the Government to select a new Chief for them? Is this fair to them?
What would’ve been your reaction if the situation is reversed and the Late Emir was the victim of this devilish bandits and was treated this way? Your guess is as good as mine, we would’ve been calling the Governor unfit to govern us, and even calling the President irresponsible and what have you. But instead many of us are mute, silent, because we think it doesn’t affect us since its not our community or emirate! This attitude alone is what destroy people and promote hatred among them. Because by so doing, we are implying that its okay to treat us that way when one of us is not in the position of power.
This is no time for wearing the shallow mask of manners. When I see a spade I call it its real name, a spade, and not a gardening tool.
I am speaking out about Southern Kaduna because injustice is there. I cannot sit idly by here in Kaduna and not be concerned about what happens in Southern Kaduna. Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly. Never again can we afford to live with the narrow, provincial, and shallow “not my community” idea. Anyone who lives inside Kaduna State can never be considered an outsider anywhere within its bounds.
The Governor and the government of Kaduna State must as a matter of urgency, wake up and realise the urgency of the moment, they must treat everyone as equal, protect the lives of everyone whether or not the affected communities are the ones killing themselves by themselves as alleged by some sources. The right to life is a fundamental right for everyone, and no one should be left to die because of the actions or inactions of the person(s) around them. The pursuit of happiness is a God given right and must not be denied anyone.
By Muhammed-Bello Buhari
An Advocate for Good Governance and a Human Rights Activist.
Contact: embbuhari@gmail.com
Follow me on Twitter: @mbbuharii
Facebook.com/muhdbellob
