Since nature abhors a vacuum, his deputy, Mr Patrick Ibrahim Yakowa, assumed the office of governor. The assumption of Yakowa as governor changed the political calculus of the state because for the first time, somebody from the Southern senatorial district became the governor.
Kaduna Central: A marginalized zone
Since nature abhors a vacuum, his deputy, Mr Patrick Ibrahim Yakowa, assumed the office of governor. The assumption of Yakowa as governor changed the political…
This new development was hailed by well-meaning indigenes of the state, because contrary to what some critics had predicted that there will be problem, the transfer of power from Namadi to Yakowa was smooth. This was not unexpected, because, Yakowa is seen as a detribalized politician who has built bridges across the various segments of the state and therefore, it is hoped that he will provide the kind of leadership that a multi-religious and multi-ethnic state like Kaduna requires. So far, he is doing his best in that regard.
Like other states, Kaduna is divided into three senatorial districts-North, Central and Southern senatorial districts. Appointments, both political and civil are supposed to be shared equitably among the three senatorial districts. This is because the cry of marginalization, neglect and misrepresentation has become so profound in the country, both at the national, state and local government levels. In order to carry everybody along therefore, sharing of political offices, rotation or zoning, have become the order of the day.
During the administration of former Governor Ahmed Mohammed Makarfi, appointments were made to reflect and take care of the interest of these three zones. The governor from the Northern zone, his deputy; late Stephen Shekari, came from the southern zone, while the Speaker and party chairman were given to the Central zone.
For the eight years he was in power, the minister representing the state at the Federal Executive Council had always been a southerner, so also was the deputy Speaker and the SSG. This arrangements ensured that every part felt a sense of belonging even though the central zone was not properly represented because for example, the position of Ambassador and Head of Service was still given to the North.
When Architect Namadi, representing the central zone, became the governor, he still picked his deputy from the south. The post of the Speaker and party chairman that were hitherto in the central zone, shifted to the North. The post of the minister and the SSG were still left in the south.
With the coming of Governor Yakowa, the central zone had expected that there will be fairness in the sharing of positions. Unfortunately, however, it seems there is a grand design to marginalize and alienate the central zone which comprises Kaduna North, Kaduna South, Igabi, Giwa, Birnin Gwari, Chikun and Kajuru Local Government Areas. This started from the onset when a deputy for Governor Yakowa was to be selected. Ordinarily, this position should have been given to someone from this zone since the governor who vacated this post is from that zone, but alas, Alhaji Mukthar Ramalan Yero, former Finance Commissioner from the North, was picked.
Apart from the deputy, the North also has cornered the position of the Speaker in the person of Alhaji Ahmed Hassan Jumare, party chairman, Alhaji Ya’u Usman; Sa’in Jama’a, Head of Service; Alhaji Habib Balarabe Yakubu, Chief Justice of the State, Mrs. Rahila Cudjoe, Grand Khadi, Alhaji Maccido, the two ambassadors representing the state, Dr. Dalhatu Sarki Tafida and Ambassador Tabari.
On its part, the south has the Governor, SSG, Mr. Waje Yayok; Minister representing the state, Architect Nuhu Wya, Deputy Speaker; Honourable Yohanna Jatau, Chief Judge of the Customary Court, an ambassador and even the Special Adviser to the Vice President, Mr Isaiah Balat.
Whatever criterion that was used to share these positions, it is not only unfair, but a deliberate attempt to marginalize the central zone which incidentally is the most populated. This will certainly not augur well for the government of Mr. Patrick Ibrahim Yakowa especially at this critical election period. When he became the governor, politicians in the central zone had expected that he will pick his deputy from the central zone, but he went ahead to pick Yero. Again, when President Jonathan reshuffled his cabinet immediately after taking over, the central zone waited patiently for the governor to submit the name of someone from this zone, but the name of Architect Wya was submitted again.
Indeed, the central zone has proven to be the most tolerant in terms of the opening up of the political space for other people. Many politicians from other zones have contested and won political positions at national and state levels under this zone and nobody raised any eyebrow. For example, the present Vice President is originally from the Northern zone, but he contested the governorship election under zone two.
Much as I don’t want to believe that the governor is part of the forces that want to sideline the central zone, I think his refusal to address this glaring imbalance will confirm to our people that the present administration is not prepared to carry us along. The danger of this kind of politics of exclusion is that the people so excluded will feel that they are not considered important. When this happens, they are likely to give their votes to the person they feel can give them a sense of belonging by giving them their due. If at present we have a governor who is seeking the mandate of the people, will leave out the most populous zone from participating in governance, then one wonders what happens if eventually he wins the gubernatorial election?
Danladi Usman write from Kaduna
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