Why Uba Sani’s Politics of Inclusion Matters -By Umar Sani Naallah

Politics in Kaduna State has never been ordinary. Ours is a state shaped by remarkable religious, ethnic, and cultural diversity. That diversity has, at different moments in our history, been manipulated to divide us. Yet it has also demonstrated our greatest strength whenever leaders have chosen dialogue over confrontation and unity over suspicion.

It is against this backdrop that Governor Uba Sani’s approach to governance deserves careful reflection.

From the day he assumed office, the Governor has repeatedly maintained that peace cannot be sustained through force alone. His administration has consistently promoted dialogue, reconciliation, justice, and inclusive governance as the foundations of lasting stability. The philosophy behind what has become known as the Kaduna Peace Model is simple but profound: peace is built when every community believes it belongs, every citizen feels heard, and development reaches every corner of the state.

This is not merely political rhetoric.

Governor Uba Sani has consistently engaged traditional rulers, Christian and Muslim religious leaders, community associations, youth groups, and civil society organisations in addressing the challenges facing Kaduna. Speaking on the International Day of Peace, his administration reaffirmed that Kaduna had deliberately chosen dialogue over confrontation, reconciliation over recrimination, and inclusion over division. More recently, he also reminded citizens that “we are first humans before becoming Fulani, Jaba, Muslims, or Christians,” an appeal that places our shared humanity above the identities that often divide us.

These principles provide the proper context for understanding the nomination of Jerry Adams, a Christian from Southern Kaduna, as the Governor’s running mate.

The nomination should not be viewed as an isolated political calculation. Rather, it represents the continuation of a governing philosophy that recognises Kaduna as a shared home for people of different faiths and backgrounds. In a society as diverse as ours, inclusion is not a concession to one group. It is an investment in collective stability.

Naturally, not everyone agrees with the decision. Some Muslim brothers and sisters have expressed sincere reservations, and their concerns deserve respect. Democratic societies thrive when citizens freely express differing opinions.

However, disagreement should also encourage deeper reflection. Should leadership be determined primarily by religious identity, or should competence, character, and commitment to public service remain our guiding standards?

Political scientist Arend Lijphart, whose scholarship on deeply divided societies has shaped governance debates around the world, argued that societies characterised by religious and ethnic diversity become more stable when political institutions embrace inclusion, shared responsibility, and broad representation. His work remains particularly relevant to Kaduna, where political exclusion has too often deepened mistrust instead of strengthening unity.

Our faith equally offers clear guidance.

Allah says in the Holy Qur’an:

“O you who believe! Stand firmly for justice… and do not let hatred of a people prevent you from being just. Be just; that is nearer to righteousness.” (Qur’an 5:8)

This verse reminds believers that justice must never become selective. We are commanded to judge fairly, irrespective of personal sentiments or group identities. Public office should therefore be assessed through the lenses of integrity, competence, fairness, and service to society.

Supporting Jerry Adams does not diminish Islam, nor does it elevate Christianity. It simply acknowledges an undeniable reality: Kaduna belongs to all who call it home. Muslims and Christians have built this state together. They have traded together, studied together, mourned together, and celebrated together. They should also see themselves reflected in the institutions that govern them.

Perhaps one of Governor Uba Sani’s most consistent messages is that governance must unite rather than divide. In his address on November 3, 2025, during the APC mega rally in Kafanchan where several politicians defected to the party, he noted that his administration is rooted in “inclusivity, fairness, and justice”. He added “When we came on board, precisely on May 29, 2023, we made it clear to everyone that we took a solemn oath to be fair to all, to run an inclusive government, and to ensure that we treat everyone equitably, irrespective of political, religious or ethnic affiliation”. These are principles aimed at rebuilding trust across communities. Those are not merely attractive political slogans. They are practical necessities in a state with Kaduna’s history.

History rarely celebrates leaders who exploit differences for political gain. It remembers those who reduce tensions, strengthen institutions, and leave behind societies that are more united than they found them.

Kaduna has experienced enough years of distrust. Our politics should no longer revolve around who belongs and who does not. Instead, it should focus on building a state where every law-abiding citizen, irrespective of religion or ethnicity, has confidence that they have a place and a voice.

That is why Uba Sani’s politics of inclusion matters.

Not because it benefits one religion over another, but because it offers Kaduna something more enduring than political victory: the opportunity to build lasting peace, strengthen public trust, and create a future in which diversity is seen not as a threat, but as our greatest collective advantage.

Umar Sani Naallah writes from Kaduna.