Indigenes of Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna State, have cried out over alleged 21 years political marginalization in Chikun/Kajuru Federal Constituency, calling for urgent intervention of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor Uba Sani.
The indigenes who addressed a press conference at Kasuwan Magani under the auspices of Coalition of Pressure Groups and Socio-cultural Organizations In Kajuru LGA said, Kajuru has not had the chance to represent the Chikun/Kajuru Federal Constituency in the National Assembly for the past 21 years.
Speaking on behalf of the Coalition, its Secretary, Comrade Joel Onoma Marcus said, due to the political marginalization, Kajuru Local Government has suffered serious neglect, with no presence of federal projects in the area.
According to Marcus who was flanked by the Chairman of the Coalition and other stakeholders from the LGA said, Kajuru is blessed with a pool of young, energetic, philanthropic, promising and goal oriented politicians who are capable of steering the affairs of the constituency for the greater good of all, one of whom he said is an aspirant under the ruling APC who has shown his capability in his philanthropic activities over the years.
“Since the return of Democracy in 1999, Kajuru was only lucky between 1999-2003 to represent Chikun/Kajuru Federal Constituency for one tenure. The next representative from Chikun Local Government Area mounted the mantle and continued from 2003 to 2023. That’s a period of 21 years despite the fact that there was a power rotation agreement between the two (2) Local Government.
“Till date, Kajuru cannot boast of a single Federal Presence within the local government and most employment slots and empowerment opportunities never get to the citizens of Kajuru. The interests and yearnings of the people are not heard nor attended to.
“Kajuru has remained underdeveloped with little or no federal infrastructures as obtainable in other constituencies like schools, hospitals, skills acquisition centers etc. Her many natural and human resources have remained untapped, despite agriculture being the pride of the area as home to many food and cash crops like maize, rice, soya beans, yam, potatoes, coco yams, tomatoes, pepper, ginger, groundnuts, mangoes, shea butter, bambara nuts, and so many economic trees and shrubs for herbal purposes; large forest with lush and greener pastures and woods for timber provides the area with potentials for local industries.
“However, all the challenges raised have remained largely unknown, unheard of and unattended to. And this is because, the local government has not had the chance since 2003 to have a citizen representing her at the federal level and in this case, House of Representatives. As such, the local government has been at the receiving end and at a disadvantaged and sorry situation with no hope in sight.
“Other constituencies in Kaduna like the Kachia/Kagarko, Jaba/Zangon Kataf, Sanga/Jema’a, Giwa/Birnin Gwari among other have adopted the power rotation strategy for the sake of fairness, justice, equity and even development which has been working favourably for both parties in the constituencies.
“It is however our wish that the representation of the House of representatives for Chikun and Kajuru Federal Constituency be agreed for a rotation pattern and to allow Kajuru to present the next member in the forthcoming bye elections.
“Consequently, we are calling on H.E President Ahmed Bola Tinubu, H.E Vice President Kashim Shetima, the SenatePresident, H.E Hon. Godswill Akpabio, the Deputy Senate President, Senator Barau Jibrin, the Speaker House of Representative, RT Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, the Deputy Speaker House of Representative Hon. Benjamin Kalu, the Senator representing Kaduna Central Senatorial District, Hon. Lawal Adamu (Mr LA), the Governor of Kaduna State, H.E Senator Uba Sani, the Speaker RT Hon. Dahiru Yusuf Liman and DeputySpeaker RT. Hon. Bar. Magaji Henry Danjuma Kaduna State House of Assembly, all State and Local Government party stakeholders in Kaduna, Chikun and Kajuru and well meaning Nigerians to wade in and intervene.
“Our appeal is timely given that the Chikun/Kajuru Federal Constituency seat is vacant as a result of the passage of the incumbent Rep member from Chikun as well, mid 2024 (May his soul rest in peace). With the bye-elections fast approaching, we are pleading that, the tickets across all parties be given to interested candidates from Kajuru in order to give the local government a chance to be seen and heard at the Federal level.
“We believe that the President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu being a true democrat, the able Governor of Kaduna, Senator Uba Sani who believe in inclusiveness and all tenets of democracy and love for all in the state, and all leaders and stakeholders mentioned from the federal, state and local levels, and well meaning Nigerians will look into the plight of Kajuru and swiftly intervene to give the local government a sense of hope, inclusiveness and a taste of development,” he said.