In a dazzling display of unity, Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani handed over 23 gleaming vehicles to traditional leaders on May 4, 2025, declaring them the backbone of peace and security in a state once scarred by violence. Speaking at Sir Kashim Ibrahim House, Sani hailed these royal fathers—emirs, chiefs, and community elders—for their tireless work, sharing intelligence with security forces to keep the peace. He boldly claimed Kaduna is now one of Nigeria’s safest states, with no ethno-religious or communal clashes in two years. But as this bold strategy unfolds, whispers of past tensions and a predecessor’s differing tune linger, leaving Nigerians to wonder: are traditional leaders truly the key to lasting peace?
The Royal Edge: Intelligence and Grassroots Power
Sani’s strategy is clear: empower traditional leaders to be the eyes and ears of Kaduna’s communities. These revered figures, from emirs in Zaria to chiefs in Southern Kaduna, have been working round-the-clock, feeding critical information to police and soldiers. This “non-kinetic” approach—focusing on dialogue and intelligence rather than just guns—has, according to Sani, tamed areas like Birnin Gwari, once a bandit hotspot. The governor’s proof? Economic activities are buzzing again, and Kaduna’s streets are calm, a stark contrast to the deadly clashes of years past. The vehicles, gifted through a partnership with House Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, are meant to boost the mobility of these leaders, ensuring they stay close to the people.
A Nod to Synergy: Abbas and Beyond
Sani didn’t just stop at praising the royals. He tipped his hat to Abbas, whose influence secured the vehicles, and highlighted a broader collaboration. As a former senator, Sani brought over ₦20 billion in projects to Kaduna, including a ₦12 billion Faculty of Engineering at Kaduna State University, now nearing completion with help from Central Bank Deputy Governor Mohammed Sani Abdullahi Dattijo. This teamwork, Sani argued, shows governance at its best—politicians and traditional leaders uniting for progress. Abbas echoed this, calling the vehicle distribution a step to strengthen royal roles in peacebuilding, a model Kaduna hopes other states will copy.The Context: Kaduna’s TurnaroundFor those outside Northern Nigeria, Kaduna’s story might seem distant, but it’s a microcosm of the country’s security struggles. Once a flashpoint for religious and ethnic violence, Kaduna saw horrors like the 2011 post-election riots and frequent bandit attacks in rural areas. Sani’s non-kinetic approach, also praised in January 2025 at an Arewa House event, leans on community trust rather than brute force. Civil society groups have lauded his focus on security, education, and healthcare since he took office in May 2023, noting that peace in places like Kidandan Market, reopened in December 2024, reflects his vision. Yet, the reliance on traditional leaders isn’t new—it’s a nod to their historical role in mediating disputes, now supercharged with modern tools like vehicles and intelligence networks.
A Predecessor’s Shadow: El-Rufai’s Contrasting View
But not everyone has sung the same tune. Sani’s predecessor, Nasir El-Rufai, who governed Kaduna from 2015 to 2023, took a more skeptical stance on traditional leaders. In 2017, El-Rufai clashed with the Kaduna State Council of Chiefs, accusing some leaders of fueling ethno-religious tensions rather than quelling them. He pushed for reforms to reduce their influence, arguing that some traditional institutions were “divisive” and hindered modern governance. His administration even deposed some chiefs, like the Adara monarch in 2019, sparking protests. While El-Rufai also worked with traditional leaders for security, his public criticisms—verified through reports from Premium Times and Vanguard in 2017—contrast sharply with Sani’s wholehearted embrace. This shift raises questions: is Sani’s trust in royal fathers a correction of past missteps, or a risky bet on figures with complex loyalties?
The Bigger Picture: A Model for Nigeria?Kaduna’s experiment matters beyond its borders. Nigeria’s security woes—banditry in the Northwest, insurgency in the Northeast—demand creative solutions. Sani’s model, blending traditional authority with state power, could inspire states like Zamfara, where he’s urged leaders to adopt Kaduna’s playbook. But challenges remain. Traditional leaders, while respected, aren’t immune to accusations of bias or corruption, as El-Rufai once argued. And while Kaduna’s peace is notable, Nigeria’s broader struggles, from 40% food inflation to a shaky naira, test public patience. For now, Sani’s gamble on royal might is paying off, turning Kaduna into a beacon of hope. Whether this peace holds, and whether traditional leaders can keep bridging divides, will shape not just Kaduna’s future, but Nigeria’s fragile quest for stability.
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