Your Two Years In Office Has Brought Greater Hardships, Dehumanization And Complete Disregard To Humanity On Kaduna People—APC Akida Tells El-Rufai

Some members of the All Progressives Congress, APC in Kaduna under the name APC Akida yesterday to continue the fight against the State Governor Malam Nasir El-Rufai until he changes his leadership pattern.

The group who said they were forced to speak out owing to the pains the El-Rufai government has brought to the poor people of the State since it took office in 2015, also hinted while addressing newsmen in Kaduna said in the two years of El’rufai’s administration, the people only witnessed greater hardships, dehumanization and complete disregard to the basic sense of humanity.

At the briefing which has the Chairman of the Akida group , Maitamaki Tom Maiyashi in attendance as well as other APC Chieftains in the State which include Senator Shehu Sani, former gubernatorial Aspirant ,Alhaji Isa Ashiru Kudan, Admiral Ibrahim Iko , and Alhaji Tijjani Ramalan said; ” The basic difference that an APC Government should have distinguished itself from the past should be its attitude to the promotion of the dignity and welfare of workers, peasants, the youth, women and the less privileged in our society.

”The Government policies have put the APC Platform on a ‘cliff’ running up to 2019, when we have to give account of our stewardship! What then will be our score – card? Destruction of community peace or mortgaging the future of our children whose state of education and development is hitting its worst level.

“The current sorry state of affairs is characterized by near total absence of leadership of the party at all levels. The Party has been deliberately weakened and virtually rendered ineffective.

” There is complete lack of consultation with critical stakeholders even on matters relating to party members or the community.

“Government intolerance of any opinion contrary to the mindset of the Governor. Mercenaries are hired to attack individuals and anybody who dares any opinion meant to add value to public policy. The only opinion or input respected is, those of hired consultants specifically recruited from outside the State who do not even understand our environment and lack the commitment to address our developmental priorities.

“These cronies and agents so recruited have virtually rendered the State Civil Service redundant and inactive. Morale in the civil service today is at its lowest ebb.

“Local Government Administration has been badly fractured, weakened and literary strangulated. Regrettably the State is walking into another circle of avoidable crises. This time around, it is the “attack” on traditional and community Institutions.

” This assault on traditional Institutions taking together with many of the antae- people policies of the administration are capable of throwing the State into another round of crises that spiral into unimaginable destruction of community cohesion.

” The process for the evolution of this policy defies all logic and common sense. There are a number of fundamental questions begging for answers; is it reasonable to sacrifice community peace and harmony simply on the feeble reason of wage bill? When our respected Royal Fathers were “consulted” what were expected to do; Say no to fait accompli? And could it not have been wiser to subject the so called restructuring report to Public debate and Analysis before a final decision is taken??

“But the people of Kaduna State should be prepared for the worst is yet to come. Available information beyond the sacking of the 313 district heads and 4,453 village heads, other civil servants including local government staff, teachers and other professionals have been lined up for dismissal, “he said.

Read The Full Statement Below:

WALKING OUT OF THE CRISIS

The inauguration of the present government in Kaduna State was welcomed with great expectations particularly by the critical segments of our communities: youth, women, artisans, craftsmen, peasants the unemployed and workers. Indeed, it was these classes of people that built the momentum that made it possible to oust the PDP government that had been in power from 1999 – 2015. The desire of for change was so palpable. People came out in their numbers to vote for “change”. Two years down the line, our people have only witnessed greater hardships, dehumanization and complete disregard to the basic sense of humanity. The basic difference that an APC Government should have distinguished itself from the past should be its attitude to the promotion of the dignity and welfare of workers, peasants, the youth, women and the less privileged in our society. The PRIMARY AUTHORS of this change are still waiting… Government policies have put the APC Platform on a ‘cliff’ running up to 2019, when WE have to give account of our stewardship! What then will be our score – card? Destruction of community peace or mortgaging the future of our children whose state of education and development is hitting its worst level.

The current sorry state of affairs is characterized by:

The near total absence of leadership of the party at all levels. The Party has been deliberately weakened and virtually rendered ineffective.

There is complete lack of consultation with critical stakeholders even on matters relating to party members or the community.

Government intolerance of any opinion contrary to the mindset of the Governor. Mercenaries are hired to attack individuals and anybody who dares any opinion meant to add value to public policy. The only opinion or input respected is, those of hired consultants specifically recruited from outside the State who do NOT even understand our environment and lack the commitment to address our developmental priorities.

These cronies and agents so recruited have virtually rendered the State Civil Service redundant and inactive. Morale in the civil service today is at its lowest ebb.

Local Government Administration has been badly fractured, weakened and literary strangulated.

Regrettably the State is walking into another circle of avoidable crises. This time around, it is the “attack” on traditional and community Institutions – INSTITUTIONS THAT HAVE SUSTAINED OUR SENSE OF COMMUNITY FOR AGES from pre –colonial days. A government Circular emanating from the State Ministry of Local Government Affairs and signed by the Hon Commissioner for Local Government Affairs Alhaji Jafaru Sani to, all the Traditional Councils dated 7th June 2017, explicitly sacked all District Heads in Kaduna State. The Circular dissolved 313 districts and 4,453 village units and ordered Chairmen of Traditional Councils to submit within two weeks names for the consideration of government for the recognized districts. This assault on traditional Institutions taking together with many of the antae- people policies of the administration are capable of throwing the State into another round of crises that spiral into unimaginable destruction of community cohesion. The process for the evolution of this policy defies all logic and common sense. There are a number of fundamental questions begging for answers; is it reasonable to sacrifice community peace and harmony simply on the feeble reason of wage bill? When our respected Royal Fathers were “consulted” what were expected to do; Say no to fait accompli? And could it not have been wiser to subject the so called restructuring report to PUBLIC DEBATE and ANALYSIS before a final decision is taken??

But the people of Kaduna State should be prepared for the worst is yet to come. Available information beyond the sacking of the 313 district heads and 4,453 village heads, other civil servants including local government staff, teachers and other professionals have been lined up for dismissal. On yet another front, the State has presented a request for a World Bank loan facility to the tune of 350 USD to the National Assembly through the Presidency. Official figures put Kaduna State as the second most indebted state in country.

What this government knows how to do best? LIES, and lies even at the risk of destroying government’s own image. The Governor has so much energy – fighting to destroy his own party that brought him to power. He has no regard, for public or responsible opinion. In his pharonic wisdom, HE does not believe anybody has value.

But we ask; what is the wisdom in harassing Kasuwan Barchi Traders to build a Dubai modern shopping mall? What is the wisdom in auctioning public assets developed over several decades?? What is the wisdom in destroying community identity and security such as the mindless sacking of all district heads and over four thousand village heads simply on account of naira and kobo? What is the wisdom in securing such a huge foreign loan from the WB when Kaduna State (our state) is already heavily burdened with external loans running into several billions?

The situation we face today in our view calls for critical reflection. What WE believe is that for the remaining life of this administration, we should address our attention to building the confidence of our communities, securing their support and inspiring them that together we can CHANGE the objective conditions of lives of our people, and secure a great future for our children. This government came on a platform of “change”. Simply put a change that will enhance human dignity, human happiness and human development.

Evidences of wastages abound, the school feeding program is a very vivid example. Recently Sahara Reporters have exposed contract scams running into billions. All to our shame as members of the party in power, and as citizens of this great State. The Zaria Water project recently commissioned specifically on the 29th May 2017 is the most classical fraud meant to win honour fraudulently!! There is no water in Zaria. What a shame!

WE wish to make it abundantly clear to our elders, our workers, peasants, youth and community leaders that, WE either as members of the ruling party, or as citizens and critical stakeholders irrespective of party affiliation DO NOT support the anti- people policies of governor Nasiru El- Rufai and we will never do so.

Currently, the sacking of district and village heads is in the courts. And injunctions restraining the state government have been secured from the State HCs sitting in Kafanchan and Zaria. It is hoped that the government will find elementary wisdom in reverting this provocative and obnoxious policy. The situation we face today in our view calls for critical reflection. WE believe that for the remaining life of this administration, we should address all our energies to building the confidence of our communities, securing their support and inspiring them that together we can CHANGE the objective conditions of lives of our people, and secure a great future for our children. This government came on a platform of “change”. Simply put a change that will enhance human dignity, human happiness and human development. We support the court processes as the most civilized approach to resolving these issues. WE salute our community leaders who have taken these responsible steps and we assure them of our total support.

WE put our communities and our elders on notice on this sensitive issue that the Governor is actually aiming at pulling down the traditional institution in its entirety. BE WARNED. The State House of Assembly should come clean on this issue by publicly explaining to the people their role in this destructive and insulting policy that could potentially place community security on the edge. Community leaders play a vital role in facilitating peaceful coexistence – a role far remote for government to accomplish.

The “change project” has only succeeded in producing a mega wrecking machine that has destroyed the integrity of our party, and taken all of us to the slaughter lab. We will continue to work for peace and certainly protect and sustain the honour and integrity of our great party.