Irked by the plight of Southern Kaduna indigenes, a group under the umbrella of Southern Kaduna Renewed Hope Movement of Nigeria (RHMN) has alleged that the people have been marginalized in state and in federal appointments.
The group therefore appealed to President Bola Tinubu that the next ministerial appointment from Kaduna State should be from the zone. Addressing journalists at the weekend, the group noted that over the last eight years, the Southern Kaduna region has experienced severe marginalization, both in political and religious spheres, especially under the government of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the immediate past administration.
The Southern Kaduna people, under the RHMN group, said that “the ongoing marginalization faced by the Southern region within the governance of Kaduna State” is unbearable.
The National Coordinator of the Movement, Yusuf Kanhu said “since the establishment of Kaduna State in 1967, 1976, and 1987, Kaduna has served as a home to diverse individuals and communities. It is a melting pot of cultures and ideologies, a symbol of unity and progress.”
Unfortunately, in recent times, we have witnessed a troubling divergence from these values.” According to him, “in the past, Christians and Muslims in Kaduna coexisted harmoniously. They celebrated each other’s festivals, shared meals, and stood united. Unfortunately, in the present day, we find ourselves grappling with a disheartening decline in unity and equitable political representation.
“Our expectation from the return to democracy was a united Nigeria marked by social justice, equity, and inclusivity — a departure from the challenges faced under various military regimes. Democracy, with its promise of synergy, representation, and inclusion, should guide our nation toward progress.
“However, over the last eight years, the Southern Kaduna region has experienced severe marginalization, both in political and religious spheres, particularly since the rise of the APC. Under the previous administration of Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, a significant disparity emerged in political appointments and campaigns, leading to an unbalanced representation of the region.”
In response to the distressing situation, the Southern Kaduna Renewed Hope Movement urged Governor Uba Sani to ensure fairness for both Christian and Muslim communities in Southern Kaduna.
“We call for the equitable distribution of ministerial appointments to the South. If a Christian ministerial appointment is not viable, we propose the appointment of Dr. Abdulmalik Durunguwa — an esteemed son of Southern Kaduna, a proven administrator, the former Executive Secretary of the Kaduna State Emergency Agency (SEMA), and a dedicated member of the All Progressives Congress (APC).”
“We want to reiterate that our goal is not to promote division or animosity. We stand for unity and progress, and we believe that the only way to achieve this is through equal representation, fair distribution of resources, and inclusive governance.”
