By Ibrahim Hassan-Wuyo
Kaduna — The Center Belt Discussion board (MBF), Kaduna State chapter, has dismissed latest remarks by former Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, on the demographic and political composition of Southern Kaduna, describing them as deceptive and opposite to verified information.
Addressing journalists in Kaduna on Friday, Chairman of the Discussion board, Air Commodore John Bako Ajeye (Rtd), mentioned the group felt compelled to “set the file straight” following El-Rufai’s look on Channels Tv’s Politics At present programme.
Ajeye defined that Southern Kaduna, which is traditionally and culturally a part of the Center Belt, encompasses 12 Native Authorities Areas, together with the eight in Kaduna South Senatorial District in addition to Chikun, Kajuru, Kaduna South and Lere. He mentioned the realm covers about 26,000 sq. kilometres and has a projected inhabitants of over 5 million individuals, “nearly half of the state’s inhabitants.”
He pressured that opposite to El-Rufai’s declare, Kaduna State is just not overwhelmingly tilted in direction of one faith or group, however is “a near-balanced state the place Southern Kaduna performs a pivotal demographic and political position.”
Based on the MBF, the zone is just not solely wealthy in numbers but in addition in its historic contributions, citing schooling, civil service excellence and the roles of pioneers akin to Dr. Barau Dikko and Prof. Ishaya Audu.
On the political entrance, Ajeye recalled that votes from Southern Kaduna had been decisive within the 2023 governorship election, during which Senator Uba Sani gained with a slim margin.
The Discussion board additionally faulted comparisons made by the previous governor, describing them as “inappropriate and able to deepening divisions.” Ajeye urged political leaders in Kaduna State to embrace messages of unity and reconciliation somewhat than narratives that might foster discord.
“We admonish Mallam El-Rufai and different political actors to desist from spreading claims that will jeopardize peace. What Kaduna wants is therapeutic, fact and inclusive governance,” he mentioned. He additional reaffirmed MBF’s dedication to fairness, clear governance and peaceable coexistence amongst all ethnic and non secular teams in Kaduna State.
The Discussion board additionally appealed to the media and civil society to “disregard narratives that search to decrease Southern Kaduna” and as an alternative help initiatives that construct belief and cohesion throughout the state
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