Kaduna Enjoys Two Years of Peace: No Ethno-Religious or Herder-Farmer Clashes, Says Governor Sani ‎

By Emmanuel Kwada

‎Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani, announced on Arise TV’s Prime Time programme on Thursday that the state has not recorded a single ethno-religious or herder-farmer conflict in the past two years.

He attributed this milestone to inclusive governance, equitable development, and strong local leadership, emphasizing that maintaining peace and security is primarily the responsibility of state governments, not the federal government.

I ‎was happy when I saw Fulani herders and farmers living together in the same community, with farms and cows less than 50 meters apart

‎Governor Sani highlighted a recent visit to Kauru Local Government, once a hotspot for religious conflicts, where he witnessed Fulani herders and farmers coexisting peacefully, sharing land and resources. “I was happy when I saw Fulani herders and farmers living together in the same community, with farms and cows less than 50 meters apart,” he said.

‎Sani credited the state’s peaceful atmosphere to a governance model rooted in justice, equity, and fairness. He noted that development projects are now evenly distributed across Kaduna, regardless of religious, political, or ethnic affiliations, despite his initial support base being concentrated in northern Kaduna.

“The first thing we need to do is ensure justice. It is about equity, fairness, and taking development to every part of the state,” he stated.

‎The first thing we need to do is ensure justice. It is about equity, fairness, and taking development to every part of the state

‎Addressing national security, Sani defended President Tinubu, arguing that grassroots security issues are best managed locally. He pointed to Kaduna’s increased agricultural budget, now at 12% compared to 1.4% previously, aligning with the 2014 Malabo Declaration’s recommendation of at least 10% for agricultural transformation.

He also highlighted the representation of northern Nigerians in key federal positions, including the Ministers of Agriculture, Livestock, Health, Defence, and the National Security Adviser, as evidence of regional inclusion in national governance.

‎

‎“Kaduna was once overtaken by banditry, insurgency, and religious crises. Today, in the last two years, we have not had a single herder-farmer or ethno-religious crisis,” Sani said, underscoring the role of sub-national governments in addressing local challenges. He emphasized that Kaduna’s diversity—comprising Muslims, Christians, and about 60 ethnic groups—requires inclusive leadership to sustain peace.

‎The governor’s remarks signal a significant turnaround for Kaduna, a state once plagued by violent conflicts, offering a model for other regions grappling with similar challenges.