Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State has expressed confidence that the establishment of state police will bring an end to the endemic insecurity affecting all 36 states of the federation.
Speaking in Abuja during a media chat with correspondents on the sidelines of the monthly meeting of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, NGF, Sani acknowledged the constraints facing state governors. He responded to criticisms that governors are not doing enough, asserting that such claims do not amount to an indictment.
According to him, “I do agree that we have a limited role to play concerning the Constitution of Nigeria. Don’t forget that even tomorrow, by the grace of God, it’s one of the areas we are going to look at the negativity, looking at the possibility of the creation of state police in Nigeria, which for me would go a long way in addressing insecurity, particularly at the sub-national level.”
As governors, he noted, they must take responsibility. He explained that upon assuming office in Kaduna, he inherited a state plagued by recurrent communal and religious clashes.
He stated that in the last 18 months, indeed, almost 20 months, since he assumed office, Kaduna has not experienced a single religious or communal clash. He attributed this achievement to a leadership style that prioritises inclusion and leading by example.
He affirmed, “You make sure that you handle the problem of particular insecurity and ethnic merchants. They’re everywhere. There are people who can only benefit if there are political, religious, or ethnic clashes.”
He noted that certain states must address the challenges of diversity, adding that in Kaduna, they have made deliberate efforts to build upon and strengthen their unity.
The governor further elaborated, “Of course, I agree with the National Security Council, but I also believe security agencies in Nigeria should also step up and do what is right.
“You can see that even the Chief of Defence Staff addresses us today. And it’s a very important meeting where we look at the areas of synergy between the security agencies and the state governors.”
