Religious leaders in Kaduna State have commended Gov. Uba Sani’s inclusive leadership and efforts toward promoting peaceful coexistence among residents.
The Muslim and Christian clerics gave the commendation on Monday at a Special Interfaith Dialogue organised by the Kaduna State Bureau of Interfaith.
The dialogue was held at the Brigadier Abba Kyari Banquet Hall, Kaduna, with participants highlighting achievements recorded by the administration.
Some of the religious leaders also advocated continuity of the administration’s policies and programmes, citing developments recorded across the state.
Sani said his administration had fulfilled its promise to run an inclusive government that prioritised justice and fairness to all residents.
“People have been asking me about our model. Our model is very simple. It does not need any study.
“It is about justice. It is about bringing everyone to the table,” the governor said.
Sani said his administration inherited a highly divided state where ethno-religious considerations affected interactions among residents.
He said the situation was unacceptable, stressing that Kaduna, being a diverse and cosmopolitan state, should serve as a model of peaceful coexistence.
The governor said political considerations should not determine how leaders governed or related with citizens of different ethnic and religious backgrounds.
Sani said he swore by the Glorious Qur’an on May 29, 2023, to govern fairly, irrespective of residents’ ethnic or religious affiliations.
The Kaduna Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Rev. Caleb Ma’aji, said the governor had recorded significant achievements across the state.
Ma’aji recalled that during the 2024 Christmas Carol, he requested three major road projects from the governor on behalf of Christian communities.
He listed the Nasarawa-UNTL First Bank Road, PAN Drive,Television Garage,Sabon Tasha Road and Romi Karatudu Road.
He expressed appreciation that two of the projects had been completed, while work on the third was nearing completion.
Ma’aji also commended Sani for reintroducing Christian pilgrimage to Jordan and Jerusalem after assuming office.
He said the governor sponsored 50 Christians for the pilgrimage in 2025, expressing hope that the number would increase this year.
The CAN chairman also appreciated Sani for choosing Mr Jerry Adams as his running mate for the forthcoming election.
He described the choice as a departure from what he called the political practice of the past.
Prof. Khalid Aliyu, Secretary General, Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI), said the dialogue’s theme aligned with the International Day of Peace.
The theme of the dialogue was “An Overview of the Impactful Three Years of Peaceful Coexistence and Inclusivity in Kaduna State: Unveiling the Secret.”
Aliyu said the 2026 International Day of Peace theme was “Invest in Peace, For Everyone, Everywhere, Everyday.”
He described Sani as a peacemaker and commended the administration’s efforts toward promoting peaceful coexistence in the state.
Sheikh Haliru Maraya also highlighted some achievements of the administration, including reduced tuition fees in state-owned tertiary institutions.
Maraya said available records showed that 4,876 lives were lost, 7,694 people kidnapped and 1,660 insecurity incidents recorded under the previous administration.
He said 534 schools were previously closed because of insecurity, but claimed that all schools in the state were currently operational.
“Before now, there were 500 hectares of uncultivated land due to insecurity. Right now, owners of those farmlands have returned to their farms,” he said.
Maraya said the administration’s three years, four months and six days in office had brought development to Kaduna State.
In his goodwill message, Bishop David Bakare, National Secretary, Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), said he did not vote for Sani in the 2023 election.
“I didn’t believe in anything that you were going to do. I didn’t know you,” Bakare said.
He said his opinion changed after observing the governor’s activities and programmes since assuming office.
“Now, another opportunity is standing in front of me and I didn’t have to think twice to take a decision this time around,” Bakare said.(NAN)
