By; AMOS TAUNA, Kaduna
A former chairman, Kaduna State Chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Rev. John Joseph Hayab, has expressed optimism that Governor Uba Sani will bring about unity, peace and oneness that eluded the state in the past eight years of Nasir el-Rufai’s administration.
Speaking on “The morning show” on Arise TV on Wednesday, he said that since assumption of office, Governor Uba Sani’s attitude and action has shown inclusiveness and willingness to carry the people along in programmes of action towards ensuring a peaceful and united state.
According to Hayab, “I don’t think there is political difference between Uba Sani and Nasir el-Rufai, but the little difference is Uba Sani is a peoples’ person while el-Rufai, was someone who knows everything and so he doesn’t need you. He gathered around him some persons who lacked some basic experience and were praise singers, and even when he was wrong, they were praising him and had no courage to tell him the truth.
“Uba Sani has elders around him who will say don’t do this because people will not like it and l am happy that he has listening ears.”
Speaking on the 13-member committee instituted by the Kaduna State House of Assembly to probe the financial dealings of the former governor, Nasir el-Rufai, Hayab observed that it is time for the former government in the state to make certain clarifications for better understanding of the present government and the people of the state.
According to him, “There is the need for leaders to be held accountable and that does not mean that el-Rufai is not being accused of any wrong doing.”
He commended the House of Assembly for coming out of the cold, lamenting, “in the past, they (members of House) were so timid. I pray that the House will go beyond writing letters but be serious, honest and transparent so that leaders will know that a day will come like this when one will be called back to give account of one’s stewardship and hope the Assembly will stand its ground and do what is right.”
He prayed that the Assembly would give a vivid report from the committee for the people of the state to ask questions where necessary.
“By the time the report is out, the people of Kaduna will know if the loans were properly approved by the House of Assembly and the projects executed if they were all approved by the House,” he explained.
Hayab lamented that some elected politicians see themselves as owners of the offices they occupy, and as a result, treat the people without respect by doing whatever they want to do without consulting anybody and making people to be scared to ask questions on things that affect them.
He said that since assuming office, Governor Uba Sani is a deviation of what Kaduna State was in the last eight years, saying, “the present governor loves the people, identify with them at any point and is trying to unite the entire people of the state, we are expressing restoration in the state.”
Speaking about the present situation in Southern Kaduna, he said, “Southern Kaduna is a little bid calm, it is progressing and efforts are being made within the few months of the government of governor Uba Sani, he has visited the area many times and commissioned projects. The people are beginning to feel that they have been remembered. If a leader remembers you, you will give him or her time, space to see if he or she is genuine and so, that is why things are calm in Southern Kaduna.”
He commended the security leaders for ensuring that there is calmness with people in the area going about their businesses.
He said, “There is a willingness from the governor and people are beginning to find ways to connect with one another. The attitude and action of government is enough to unite the people and lack of action from the government can cause division among the people.”
