Dear Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah

I write you with the utmost sense of respect.

Permit me to begin by congratulating you. Not in the usual way, but in a manner that reflects a keen observation of recent developments in our country. Since the emergence of Bola Ahmed Tinubu as President, and coincidentally since your assumption of office as Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of Federal University of Applied Sciences Kachia, there appears to have been a remarkable shift in the narrative of insecurity across Nigeria.

From Zamfara State to Sokoto State, Katsina State, Benue State, Plateau State, Kwara State, and indeed across several troubled parts of our nation, one might be tempted to conclude that the k!llings have suddenly come to an end. The silence is striking. The headlines have softened. The urgency has waned.

It is this very contrast that compels this letter.

You will recall, Bishop, your powerful and courageous interventions during the administration of Muhammadu Buhari. Your voice rang loud through a series of open letters that captured national attention and stirred both conscience and controversy.

On Christmas Day, December 25, 2018, you wrote with piercing clarity about a nation drifting, warning of a “nation at w@r with itself.”

Again, on December 25, 2019, your message, “A Nation in Search of Vindication,” questioned the moral and political direction of leadership, calling attention to bloodshed and division.

On December 25, 2020, in “A Nation in Search of Peace,” you spoke even more bluntly, addressing the worsening insecurity and the growing despair among Nigerians.

And on December 25, 2022, your letter once again raised concerns about governance, justice, and the value of human life in Nigeria.

These interventions were not just letters. They were moral signposts. They reminded leadership of its duty and the nation of its conscience.

It is against this backdrop that your current silence, or perhaps restraint, becomes more noticeable.

Has the situation improved so dramatically that the urgency of those words is no longer required?

Have the forests suddenly emptied?
Have the highways become safe?
Have the cries of victims ceased?

Or is it that the burden of national admonition must shift depending on who occupies the seat of power?

Lord Bishop, sir, your voice has always carried weight not because it was loud, but because it was consistent. Not because it was critical, but because it was principled.

Nigeria still needs that voice.

Not selectively. Not occasionally. But steadfastly.

If indeed peace has returned to the troubled lands of Zamfara, Sokoto, Katsina, Benue, Plateau, Kwara, and beyond, then you deserve commendation for witnessing such a transformation. But if, as many still believe, the reality on the ground has not changed as dramatically as the silence suggests, then your voice is needed now as much as it was then. Unless there is something we are not seeing that you would want us to see, could it be a case of “Tinubu I love, Buhari I hate”? Or should we begin to wonder whether conviction has given way to convenience?

Bishop, sir, would you recommend that we keep silent when we benefit and speak up only when we do not?

Over time, we have seen that history is kinder to those who remain constant in truth than to those who are convenient in silence.

I write not in condemnation, but in expectation.

Prince Daniel a Concerned Citizen and Head of cool Wazobia And Arewa Radio on Kano

By Abba Anwar

Confidence, focus and straightforwardness are some of the major reasons why 2027 political contest in Tarauni is increasingly becoming more interesting and more dicey. Race for the House of Representatives seat especially.

When the former Senior Special Assistant to the President, on Citizenship and Leadership, Hon Nasir Bala Ja’oji, declared his intention to contest for the House of Representatives seat, against the current member, many keen political observers believe that, there are two major contenders now.

Ja’oji, according to many observers, is fast becoming one of the most fearless politicians within Kano metropolis. In the public eye, he was the first appointee to resign from his position, at the federal government level. The gut was seen as an asset, that cannot be purchase by every Tom, Dick and Harry.

Political pundits accept that, with all his unmatched connection, at the top of the ladder, Ja’oji, believes that, searching for political soul mates, on top of his “save our souls” empowerment and interventions are necessary tools for political victory. So he is changing tactics now, and for better.

The thousands of supporters he was able to gather, yesterday Friday, for the declaration of his intention to contest, surprised many as being unprecedented and overwhelming. Though anticipated.

He started from Gadar Lado, on Zaria road, took to the street with procession, to the All Progressives Congress (APC) Tarauni local government Secretariat, back to Zaria road to his base Ja’oji quarters. As dozens horse riders, thousands of supporters trekking and bike riders were chanting party slogan.

At the Secretariat he told the party leaders that his ambition “… is not borne out of mere ambition, but from deep sense of responsibility, commitment and consistent engagement with the people and the ideals of our great party.”

Ja’o’ji is someone with outright and unscathing love for APC’s strength and victory for all elections. He stresses this notion, when he said, “Over the past few years, I have remained steadfast in my loyalty and contributions to the growth, unity and electoral successes of our party at various levels.”

For the simple reason that, this rare gem, has so many advantages over his challengers, in the race, he typifies that, his experience serving as Senior Special Assistant to the President on Citizenship and Leadership, has further shaped his understanding of governance, nation building and inclusive leadership.

Adding that, “In that capacity, I contributed initiatives aimed at promoting civic responsibility, youth engagement, and leadership development across the country.”

During the declaration event youth and women constituted the larger part of the participants, who made the event more colorful and intimidating. Many of those who attended the event, were of the opinion that, it is now their turn to support Ja’o’ji realize his political dream victoriously.

Ja’oji is indeed second to none, as Tarauni electorate believe that, his long standing initiatives in empowering his people, are indelible in the face of Tarauni political reality. Hundreds of women and youth benefited from his grant schemes, where some hundreds beneficiaries collected One Million Naira (N1m) each to aid their economic engagement in the society. For the overall development of the state, as a whole.

Many hundreds benefited from his scholarship scheme at periodic intervals. Where he sponsored their higher education across tertiary institutions in the state. Apart from yearly assistance rendered to secondary school students for writing their Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) examinations. And their second school leaving examinations, NECON and SSCE. Among many other programmes.

His intervention cuts across all segments of people in Tarauni and beyond. Sometimes not minding their political affiliation. That is why people are of the opinion that, Ja’oji could be marketable and sellable easily. As his pedigree informs this reality, for the past few years. Even before he started nurturing a political ambition. Which shows that, Ja’oji has been an ardent supporter for human progress and development. A sole action that endears him to the people. Particularly those at the grassroot. Genuine electorate at all levels.

With all his shortcomings, as a human being, as no human beings, apart from Prophets and Messengers of Allah, are infallible, meaning infallibility of human beings is assured and reassured in this life, Ja’oji has age over other would be contestants. As some political pundits observed.

His long presence in the life of his people, supercedes other contestants, especially those that are new into the system. As speculation suggests that, there are some people who are drafted and some are about to be drafted into the battleground. But electorate promised that their weight is already behind Ja’oji.

As Ja’oji advances with full force with his declaration of interest and as there are reports that, within the circle of those would be contestants’ structures, some misunderstandings started emanating from within, Tarauni is about to breath well with Ja’o’ji as the rallying point.

Anwar writes from Kano
Saturday, 25th April, 2026

The Unifier Project expresses strong alignment with the nomination of Hon. Murtala Sule Garo as Deputy Governor of Kano State, as the development is really strategic and a well thought decision that would certainly support in the ongoing consolidation of governance under the leadership of His Excellency, Abba Kabir Yusuf.

The nomination reflects a deliberate effort to strengthen political cohesion, deepen administrative excellence, and reinforce trust within the structure of political governance in Kano State.

Hon. Murtala Sule Garo represents a symbol of political depth, administrative skills, and grassroots connection, as well as qualities that are essential in supporting effective governance and sustaining public confidence in any political leadership.

We are strongly of the opinion that, the decision aligns with the broader vision of unity and inclusiveness, which the Unifier Project has always continued to advocate across the state. The nomination is surely one that transcends routine political considerations, positioning itself as a step towards enhancing stability and improved service delivery.

The Unifier Project views this development as a reinforcement of democratic values and a reflection of responsive and inclusive leadership that takes into account experience, loyalty, and the need for broad-based acceptance in governance.

A political decision of this nature contributes significantly to strengthening institutional trust and encouraging wider participation in governance processes, especially at the grassroots level.

The Unifier Project therefore expresses its full alignment with the nomination and reaffirms its commitment to promoting unity, political stability, and constructive engagement across all levels of society in Kano State.

The organization therefore calls for a continued support for leadership decision that prioritizes collective progress, institutional balance, and the overall development of the state.

Signed:
Mohd Babagana
Kano State Coordinator,
24th April, 2026