September 10, (THEWILL) – The Southern Kaduna Journalist’ Forum (SKJF), a media advocacy group, has appealed to President Bola Tinubu to allocate the Kaduna State ministerial slot to Southern Kaduna for fairness and inclusive governance.
The forum made the call through its chairman, Mr Ango Bally at a news conference in Kaduna.
Bally said that the candidate could be any competent person, irrespective of party, or religious affiliation.
He pointed out that since the return of democracy in 1999; previous administrations had demonstrated fair distribution of appointments between the northern and southern parts of the state.
He added that a precedent had been set between 1999 to 2014 where principal political positions were shared between the northern and the southern parts.
“When the governor of the state is elected from the northern part, a ministerial appointment and Secretary to the State Government (SSG) goes to the southern part and vice versa.
“This sharing formula ensured equity, fairness, and inclusive governance.
“For example, between 2003 and 2007, the northern part of the state produced the governor, Mr Ahmed Makarfi and a minister, former Gov. Nasir El-Rufai.
“The southern part of the state produced the deputy governor, SSG and a minister, when the state was allocated two ministerial slots,” he said.
The chairman, however, said that between 2015 and 2023, the governor (El-Rufai) was from the northern part, along with the two ministers nominated from the state and the SSG.
He added that the development left the southern part with only the position of the deputy governor.
The chairman said that throughout the eight years of Gov. El-Rufai, the southern part of the state was also denied the SSG position, as against the tradition in the past.
About the Author
