The Governor gave the warning when top Directors of the Department of State Services (DSS) paid him a courtesy visit at the Sir Kashim Ibrahim House, Kaduna on Friday.
Sani advised politicians to distinguish between constructive criticism of government policies and actions that threaten the corporate existence of the country.
“As a Governor, you can criticise me, but when you act in a manner that causes disaffection or tarnishes the image of our country, you have become a merchant of conflict,” he said.
He condemned what he described as the antics of some opposition politicians who, in the name of political rivalry, engage in statements and actions that damage Nigeria’s reputation.
According to him, such individuals are “anti-democratic forces” who forget that leaders will come and go, but the country will remain.
Recalling his days as a human rights activist and defender of the rule of law, Sani quoted the late legal luminary Chief Gani Fawehinmi as saying that Nigerians must always distinguish between their leaders and the nation itself.
“Some of the politicians now in opposition were nowhere to be found when we were in the trenches fighting the military for this democracy we all now enjoy,” he added.
The governor urged the political elite not to use their privileged positions to undermine national peace, warning that most of them would easily flee abroad if chaos erupted, leaving the poor and vulnerable to suffer the consequences.
“If anything happens, those living in GRAs will fly their families abroad and leave the masses to bear the brunt of their actions,” he said.
Sani also criticised politicians who incite unrest from the comfort of their homes while sending the children of ordinary Nigerians to the streets.
“Working against your own country in the name of opposition is not only unpatriotic but sacrilegious.
“That is the behaviour of conflict entrepreneurs,” he stated.
Sani expressed concern that some members of the elite exploit religion for political gain, describing them as “insecurity merchants” who profit from instability.
“The elites in GRAs live peacefully across religious lines, yet some use religion to divide the poor. For me, this is most unfortunate,” he said.
The governor reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to unity, stressing that religion would never be a factor in his dealings with citizens.
“God has put us together in Kaduna State as Muslims and Christians.
“We must embrace one another and work for peace. I judge people by their character, not their religion,” he said.
Sani commended the National Security Adviser, Malam Nuhu Ribadu, as well as all Heads of security agencies and the Director-General of the DSS, Mr Adeola Ajayi, for their efforts in tackling the recurring security challenges across the country.(NAN)
