By Nworisa Michael
As political discussions continue across Kano State, I believe there is one question every citizen should ask: beyond party loyalty, political sentiments and social media debates, what do we really see around us?
Politics can sometimes make us see only what we want to see. When we support a government, we may overlook its shortcomings. When we oppose it, we may refuse to acknowledge any progress it has made. But as citizens, we owe ourselves the responsibility of being fair, honest and objective.
For members of the Inter-tribe Community living across Sabon Gari, Brigade, Badawa, Sharada, Wudil and many other parts of Kano State, this is especially important. We come from different ethnic groups, religions and political backgrounds, but we all share the same communities, use the same roads, depend on the same security environment and desire a better future for our families.
One of the first responsibilities of any government is to provide peace and stability. While no administration can claim perfection, it would be difficult to deny that Kano has remained relatively peaceful and stable despite many of the tensions and security concerns witnessed in other parts of the country. For traders, workers, students and families, peace is not a luxury. It is the foundation upon which every other aspect of development rests.
Another area that deserves honest reflection is the relationship between government and the Inter-tribe Community. Over the years, our community has continued to advocate for inclusion, recognition and a stronger sense of belonging. What matters is not only what governments say, but how they respond when communities need them.
Many members of our community will remember the period of anxiety and concern that followed calls for protests and possible attacks linked to the Iran-Israel conflict. The Inter-tribe Community Support Forum engaged the Force Headquarters and relevant government stakeholders. The response was positive, the concerns were addressed and normalcy was restored. These are the kind of interventions that may not always make newspaper headlines but play an important role in maintaining peace and public confidence.
Kano first
Likewise, during interventions following the tragic Uromi killings, the Inter-tribe Community Support Forum was not ignored. We were recognized and engaged as stakeholders. Government could have acted without involving us, but it chose to carry us along. To some, this may appear insignificant, but to communities that have long sought inclusion and recognition, such gestures matter.
When it comes to development projects, citizens should also be fair in their assessments. Roads such as Zungeru Road and Sarki Yaki Road are of great importance to residents, businesses and commuters in Sabon Gari and surrounding communities. These are not minor projects, and anyone who passes through these areas can see the scale of work taking place.
The transformation of Mai Kwatashi Girls Secondary School is another development that deserves mention. The new look of the school stands as a visible example of investment in public education. Whether one supports the government politically or not, it would be unfair to pretend such improvements do not exist.
None of these observations mean government should not be criticized. In fact, criticism remains an important part of democracy. Citizens have every right to question policies, demand accountability and ask for better service delivery. However, criticism should be based on facts just as praise should also be based on facts.
As another election cycle gradually approaches, I also wish to encourage members of the Inter-tribe Community to take the democratic process seriously. Those who are yet to register as voters should do so. Those who need to update their registration details should do so. Those who have not collected their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) should make arrangements to obtain them.
We owe this responsibility not to any government or political party, but to ourselves, our children and our communities. Elections remain one of the most powerful tools available to ordinary citizens. We cannot complain about leadership and at the same time remain absent when it is time to choose leaders.
At the end of the day, communities grow when citizens participate actively, speak honestly and judge leaders fairly. We should be willing to point out shortcomings where they exist, but we should also be willing to acknowledge progress where we see it. Fairness demands both.
As members of the Inter-tribe Community and as residents of Kano State, let us continue to engage constructively, participate actively and assess governments not through the lens of party politics but through the realities we see in our communities every day.
Because beyond politics, beyond party affiliations and beyond the noise of public debate, the Kano we live in is the Kano we must honestly evaluate.
Nworisa Michael is the coordinator of Inter-tribe Community Support Forum (ICSF), writes from nworisamichael1917@gmail.com