Uba Sani to politicians: Don’t undermine Nigeria’s unity for political gain

Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State has cautioned politicians against politicising security matters for partisan advantage, urging them to place national interest above personal or political considerations.

Speaking when top Directors of the Department of State Services (DSS) paid him a courtesy visit at the Sir Kashim Ibrahim House on Friday, the Governor said that while criticism of government policies is acceptable in a democracy, actions that undermine the unity and peace of the country are dangerous and unpatriotic.

Governor Sani condemned what he described as the “antics of some politicians” who, under the guise of opposition, malign the image of Nigeria in the media.

He labelled such individuals as anti-democratic forces who fail to realise that public office is transient, but the nation remains.

“As a Governor, you can criticise me, but when you act in ways that create disaffection, tarnish the image of our country, or threaten the peace of Kaduna State, you have become a merchant of conflict,” he stated.

Recalling his activism days alongside the late Chief Gani Fawehinmi, Sani said Fawehinmi had always cautioned advocates to separate their criticism of leaders from their loyalty to the country.

He lamented that many of those now in the opposition were absent “when we were in the trenches fighting the military for this democracy that Nigeria now enjoys.”

The Governor warned against elites using their privilege to incite unrest among the poor, noting that many of them live in affluent neighborhoods and have families abroad.

“If anything happens, these people in the GRAs will simply fly out and leave the poor and vulnerable to suffer the consequences,” he said.

Sani criticised politicians who incite protests from the comfort of their air-conditioned homes while their own children live overseas, calling such behaviour “unpatriotic and sacrilegious.”

He described such individuals as conflict entrepreneurs and insecurity merchants who exploit religion and insecurity for political gain.

“The elites in GRAs live peacefully together regardless of religion, yet some use faith for political advantage.

“They don’t care that the lives of ordinary people are being endangered, and that is truly unfortunate,” he said.

Reaffirming his commitment to peace and development, the Governor emphasised that Kaduna State would not be divided along religious lines under his watch.

“God has placed us here in Kaduna as Muslims and Christians.

“We must embrace one another and work together. I judge people by their character, not by their religion,” he asserted.

Governor Sani also commended the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, the heads of security agencies, and the Director-General of the DSS, Mr. Adeola Ajayi, for their dedication and collaboration in addressing the country’s security challenges.