Kaduna Killings:  PDP candidate proffers solution

Yusuf Mugu, PDP candidate for Kaura constituency seat in the Kaduna House of Assembly, has said that “sincere dialogue’’ was the only solution to the incessant Kaduna crisis.
The North-Western state has been embroiled in another round of violence that has claimed many lives over the last two weeks.
As part of measures to restore order, the state government has imposed a curfew on some parts of the state, with most of areas placed under a 24-hour curfew.
Reacting to the incessant violence in the state, Mugu described the situation as “sad, unfortunate and galling”.
He said: “The incessant violence is sad, unfortunate and galling, but the only solution is a sincere dialogue that will involve all stakeholders.
“Such sincere dialogue will encourage parties involved to state their grievances and collectively explore common grounds toward resolving the conflicts.’’
Mugu, a senior lecturer with the Faculty of Education, University of Jos, said that imposing curfews was a short term measure, and challenged those in authority to look for long term solutions.
He said: “From my interactions with most of the parties involved in this violence over the years, everyone appears eager for an end to it. They all appear to realise that they are all losers in the vicious cycle.
“Kaduna State leaders must embark on sincere and transparent approach toward tackling the issues. We can no longer continue to adopt fire brigade approaches when violence breaks out.
“We must dig deep, unearth the issues and seek solutions that will work.
“Most of the time, we hold workshops and conferences on the way out, but those avenues are mere talk shops which some people even regard as money making ventures.
“In the past, former Kaduna Governor, Ahmed Makarfi, organised sincere dialogue and the discussants suggested strategies that were used in tackling the disagreements.
“Current leaders must follow the same steps and organise frank discussions. They must avoid actions that will give the impression that they are biased. If all sides are assured of leaders’ impartiality, they will cooperate and the crisis will be reduced.’’
Mugu urged leaders to be above board and strive to discourage followers from tribalism, nepotism and other vices that could make the society retrogressive.
He said: “We have advanced in education and religion but our attitude is still very far from civilised ethos. We cannot move and develop if we do not change such bad attitude.’’