Kaduna CAN Supports Shehu Sani, Calls for Monarchs' Return

The Christian Association of Nigeria in Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State is asking Christian leaders and residents to support the All Progressives Congress candidate for 2027 Kaduna Central Senatorial seat, Senator Shehu Sani. They are also calling for the return of traditional rulers who were removed during former Governor Nasir El-Rufai's time.

The CAN chairman in Chikun made this request on Thursday when Sani met with 48 zonal leaders of the association in Sabo Tasha, the local government headquarters. The meeting was to seek their prayers and backing for the upcoming 2027 elections.

The chairman encouraged Sani to use his connection with Governor Uba Sani to help bring back the affected traditional rulers. He believes this would help heal divisions and improve relationships between the government and the communities involved.

He is hopeful that reinstating the monarchs would lead to significant electoral support for the APC government in Kaduna State during the 2027 elections.

The CAN chairman also asked Governor Uba Sani to upgrade the Sa Gbagyi traditional stool to first-class status. He argued that Chikun, home to the Kaduna State capital, deserves such recognition.

He said this upgrade would show the importance of the Gbagyi traditional institution and the strategic role of Chikun in the state. He urged the governor to consider this request for the benefit of the people.

The CAN leadership also called for more political appointments for Chikun indigenes, noting that the local government currently has no commissioner in the Kaduna State cabinet.

Welcoming Sani, the chairman called the meeting significant. He pointed out that Sani was the first politician to engage with the Christian community in this way.

He said the meeting allowed the community to express its concerns and hopes to political leaders.

The CAN chairman also warned against portraying the APC as a party for a specific religious group. He insisted that the party should embrace all Nigerians, regardless of their religious backgrounds.

"The APC is for everybody. It should not be seen as a party belonging to one religion," he said.

He expressed concern over what he called the poor representation of Chikun in political appointments. He stated that the local government has many qualified professionals who could contribute to governance.

"We are appealing that in the next dispensation, Chikun should be considered for key political appointments. We have qualified people who can serve," he said.

During the meeting, Sani urged pastors to rise above religious and ethnic feelings when making political choices. He said Nigeria needs leaders who can unite people from different backgrounds.

He warned against selective empathy in addressing killings and insecurity, stressing that the lives of victims matter, no matter their religion or ethnicity.

The former senator said that condemning violence should not depend on the religious or ethnic background of the victims, emphasizing that every Nigerian deserves protection.

He also questioned why some political and religious leaders were silent about security issues during past administrations. He urged Nigerians to hold leaders accountable, regardless of their political affiliations.

Sani further stated that opposition to President Bola Tinubu’s government should not be based only on ethnic or religious lines but should come from a fair assessment of government actions and results.

He challenged opposition politicians to show what they have done while in office, rather than just criticizing the current government.

The APC senatorial candidate encouraged pastors and Christian leaders to get involved in politics. He said religious leaders should not leave the political arena solely to politicians.

He mentioned that his visit aimed to build bridges between religious communities and to seek prayers and support from pastors ahead of the 2027 Kaduna Central senatorial election.

The meeting concluded with a special prayer led by Bishop Joe Yari.