Former Senator representing Kaduna Central, Shehu Sani, has urged northern political elites to address the root causes of insecurity in the region instead of using it as a political tool.
Speaking during a visit by the Open Heart Foundation and the Women Empowerment Centre in Kaduna, Sani criticized northern leadership for exploiting insecurity for political gain ahead of the 2027 elections. He identified factors such as poverty, underdevelopment, mass illiteracy, and the almajiri system as key drivers of insecurity.
“The terrorists in the North-East and the bandits in the North-West speak our languages. This is our problem, and only we can solve it,” Sani said, calling on leaders to confront these challenges directly.
The civil rights activist also urged civic groups to hold the government accountable while avoiding being used as tools in political conflicts. He noted that northern Nigeria has experienced widespread violence for over 15 years, citing attacks on schools, villages, churches, and mosques across the North-East and North-West.
Sani criticized some politicians for celebrating attacks to weaken the government and warned that insecurity may escalate as elections approach. He also dismissed reliance on foreign powers, emphasizing that solutions lie in strengthening Nigeria’s armed forces and citizen unity.
The senator acknowledged improvements under Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani, including reduced religious tensions and the reintegration of affected communities, while noting that challenges remain.
Representatives of the Open Heart Foundation and the Women Skill Empowerment Centre expressed deep concern over ongoing kidnappings and called on authorities to ensure the safe return of victims.
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