Hon Isa Ashiru, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) candidate for governor of Kaduna State, told Trust TV on Tuesday that the surge in violent incidents is directly linked to the previous administration’s removal of traditional rulers, and said his own government would reverse that policy, provide operational vehicles for security agents, offer risk incentives and introduce artificial intelligence tools to curb crime.
What specific actions does Ashiru say caused the security vacuum?
He argued that when the APC‑led government of Nasir El‑Rufai took office, it dismissed a large number of village heads and district heads, leaving many communities without the customary reporting chain that once ran from the village head to the district head, then to the Emir, and finally to the governor and the state security council.
How extensive were the dismissals?
El‑Rufai’s administration reverted Kaduna’s administrative map to the 77 districts and 1,429 village units that existed before 2001, effectively terminating 313 district heads and 4,453 village heads appointed after that year by former Governor Ahmed Mohammed Makarfi.
What legal framework underpinned the restructuring?
The changes were carried out under the Traditional Institutions Law No 21 of 2021, which replaced the Chiefs (Appointment and Deposition) Law Cap 25 of 1991. The 2021 law was introduced by the Makarfi government to overhaul the traditional and emirate council system, a move that sparked considerable controversy.
What solutions does Ashiru propose if he wins the election?
He pledged to restore the dismissed traditional rulers, arguing that their reinstatement would close the “un‑governed spaces” created by the earlier reforms. He also promised to allocate operational vehicles to police and other security agencies, and to provide financial incentives for officers who risk their lives on duty.
How does technology fit into his security plan?
Ashiru said his administration would deploy artificial intelligence, noting that the sophistication of the tech industry now makes it a viable tool against crime. He described insecurity as having turned into an “industry” driven by the millions of naira paid in ransom, and suggested AI could help identify and disrupt those networks.
What is his overall outlook on the security challenge?
The candidate expressed confidence that, by re‑engaging traditional rulers, equipping security forces and leveraging AI, the level of violence in Kaduna could be reduced to a minimum, if not eliminated entirely.
In summary, Ashiru’s campaign narrative links the current insecurity to policy decisions made by the El‑Rufai administration, and outlines a multi‑pronged approach—administrative, logistical and technological—to address the problem should he assume the governorship.