Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
Kaduna State, Nigeria — A civil society organisation representing communities in Southern Kaduna has accused successive governments, particularly under former President Muhammadu Buhari and ex-Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, of systemic marginalisation and neglect that contributed to chronic underdevelopment, insecurity and social exclusion in the region.
The group, speaking in a press statement and public advocacy campaign, argued that Southern Kaduna — a culturally diverse area in the southern part of Kaduna State — was consistently overlooked in federal and state governance, infrastructure development and resource allocation during the Buhari administration (2015–2023) and throughout El-Rufai’s two terms as governor (2015–2023). Southern Kaduna leaders and elders said this neglect exacerbated longstanding grievances and created conditions that fuelled insecurity and economic hardship.
According to the statement, the region’s years of marginalisation extended from politics to economic investment, with leaders alleging that federal and state authorities prioritised projects, infrastructure and government presence in other parts of Kaduna State while leaving Southern Kaduna communities under-resourced and under-represented. They said this pattern of neglect was most evident in the limited number of development projects, poor maintenance of critical infrastructure, and weak security presence in the area compared with other parts of the state.
Southern Kaduna has long been the site of violent conflicts and repeated attacks by armed groups, leading to loss of life and displacement of residents. Local advocates have linked these security challenges to what they describe as a lack of proactive investment and protection by authorities in both Abuja and Kaduna State during the years of Buhari’s presidency and El-Rufai’s governorship. They argue that the absence of sustained development and meaningful engagement with local communities created a vacuum that criminal elements exploited, compounding the sense of abandonment.
In raising their concerns, representatives of the group pointed to infrastructure disparities such as deteriorating roads, under-resourced healthcare facilities and limited access to federal education institutions in Southern Kaduna, compared with more robust government presence in other regions. They said these conditions not only hindered economic opportunities but also had negative implications for community resilience and social cohesion.
The criticism of neglect under El-Rufai’s administration has been echoed in prior advocacy efforts by Southern Kaduna groups, who have called for judicial inquiries, documentation of alleged human rights abuses and equitable development frameworks to address the region’s unique needs. These calls followed reports of controversial policy decisions, including alterations to traditional leadership structures and boundary adjustments that local leaders argued eroded the authority of indigenous communities.
Former Governor El-Rufai’s remarks on demographic and political issues in the region also sparked controversy, with critics saying his comments reflected deep-seated tensions and perceptions of exclusion among Southern Kaduna residents. Religious and community leaders, including figures within the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), have publicly rebutted narratives offered by El-Rufai, describing them as divisive and unhelpful to reconciliation efforts. (
Addressing the legacy of neglect, Southern Kaduna advocates have appealed to the current administration of Governor Uba Sani and the federal government to implement more inclusive policies, equitable resource distribution and meaningful dialogue with local stakeholders. They emphasise that sustainable peace and development in the region depend on reversing decades of perceived marginalisation and ensuring that the voices of Southern Kaduna communities are heard in governance processes.
The group’s stance reflects a broader debate in Nigeria over how historical injustices and development imbalances contribute to insecurity and underdevelopment in peripheral regions — issues that remain central to national discussions on federalism, equity and inclusive governance.
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