Inclusion: Uba Sani’s template for peace, By IBRAHEEM MUSA

By IBRAHEEM MUSA

Usually, the presidency is like an orchestra and the president, in our present system,  dictates  the tune like a conductor. Indeed, he  leads  in front,  sets  the tone of governance and gives general direction. Similarly , the Vice President,  Ministers and sundry aides, including the federal bureaucracy, walk  in tandem with him, expatiating, explaining and carrying out government’s policies in harmony.

Specifically, Senator Kashim Shettima, the Vice President, is the face of Renewed Hope, the explainer-in-chief and the administration’s motivational speaker. Indeed, at official events, social gatherings and just about everywhere, he pitches for the government, explaining  Tinubunomics with  sincerity, bereft of high falutin jargons. Likewise, his genial demeanour, plain-speak and common touch resonate better with Nigerians. Above all, Vice President Shettima and his principal, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, are always on the same page, reading the same book of governance, written in the language Nigerians understand.

Last week, the Vice President  was at Tudun Biri, a village in Kaduna state, where a drone attack   killed scores of people last December. Shettima, representing Tinubu,  flagged off a  Resettlement Scheme for  conflict victims. Expectedly,  he   was in his elements as he pontificated  on conflicts, listed   their triggers  and showed the way out. Largely, he  recommended   the Senator Uba Sani formular, a  policy of inclusion,  as the  permanent solution to  conflicts in  Nigeria.  In one year, the Governor  has united Kaduna State and his approach, according to Shettima, “is not only a template for other state Governors but also for the nation at large.”

Significantly, Senator Uba Sani has been mending fences, building bridges of understanding and  pulling down walls of distrust in Kaduna State. Likewise, he   is  erecting  a big tent, to  all intents and purposes,  for diverse  socio-political tendencies to conflate. Besides, he is  reaching  out to the opposition, waving   the olive branch and asking   them to come under one roof.

Similarly, Senator Uba Sani has reached out to elders and senior citizens, retired Generals and ex civil servants, accomplished businessmen, to build an advisory body. Last October,   he convened   the Kaduna Elders/Senior Citizens Forum and  Alhaji Abubakar Mustapha, former Head of Service, and retired General Zamani Lekwot, are Co-chairmen of the group. Periodically, these elders meet with the Governor, rub minds and review areas of potential conflicts.

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Likewise, the Governor has been engaging  with  Islamic clerics and Christian clergy, in his drive for inclusion, to seek a common ground of understanding.  In fact, Rev Joseph Hayab, the ex Chairman of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), has commended him for restoring  peace, trust and stability in Kaduna State, pledging  to help  in  strengthening  them.  Similarly, Prof Shafiu Abdullahi, the Chairman of Jama’atu Nasril Islam(JNI), said he is proud of  Senator Uba Sani’s people-centred  and pro-poor administration, particularly  its rural transformation.

Indeed, with the political class under one roof, elder statesmen giving wise counsel and religious leaders tugging in the same direction, conflicts will be few and far between and  ethno-religious crises will be minimal. This, in summary,  was Shettima’s clarion call at Tudun Biri and the  vice president, rooting for inclusion, has  endorsed Governor Uba Sani’s hands-on politics. More telling, he  spoke on  President Tinubu’s behalf and for the executive arm of the federal government.

The Star