Kaduna –  The Kaduna State Government has intensified its peace and reconciliation efforts in its bid to restore normalcy in the state.

The state was one of those that witnessed post-election violence in the country.

Beside causing social distrust and fear among the various communities of the state, the violence also claimed several lives and property put at billions of naira.

Worried by the development, Gov. Patrick Yakowa, embarked on an aggressive strategy to assuage frayed nerves and reconcile the warring factions.

Yakowa adopted a pro-active approach of a statewide consultation with all stakeholders.

Those consulted included traditional rulers, religious leaders, security agencies, politicians and non-indigenous community leaders.

He preached peace, forgiveness and reconciliation at each forum and urged residents to be law abiding.

The governor also pledged to ensure the provision of adequate security for every person in the state, irrespective of party, religious or ethnic affiliation.

Yakowa further undertook an on-the-spot assessment visit to all the affected areas and commiserated with the victims of the mayhem.

Besides, he directed all the acting local government chairmen where the crisis occurred to take an inventory of the damaged  property with a view to assisting the victims.

The governor’s strategy has started yielding fruits, as the various traditional rulers, religious leaders, political parties and their candidates as well as community leaders had started appealing for calm.

Some community and religious leaders in Kaduna on Monday  urged their followers to eschew violence and embrace reconciliation for peace to reign supreme in the state.

The leaders made the call at separate press conferences in Kaduna as part of their contribution to restoring normalcy in the post-election crisis torn state.

In their address, the Kaduna Community Leaders’ Forum criticised the violence and wanton destruction of lives and property.

The President-General of the Igbo Community, Mr A. C. Amaechi, and the Chairman of Yoruba Community, Chief Abdulganiyu Oguntoyinbo, spoke on behalf of others.

The leaders advised their members to stop deserting the state in panic, as peace and normalcy was being restored.

They also called on their followers to come out en masse and vote for the candidates of their choice in the April 28 governorship and state assembly elections.

On its part, the Supreme Council for Shariah in Nigeria has condemned the post-election violence in the state and called for urgent restoration of normalcy.

The Chairman of the council, Malam M. T. Suleiman, decried the enormous lost of lives and property.

Suleiman called for free and fair elections, as well as justice to all parties involved in the crisis to prevent further losses.

The council enjoined all Muslims to offer special prayers for the restoration of peace and normalcy in the state.

Meanwhile a former Military Governor of the defunct North Central State, Grp. Capt. Usman Jibrin (rtd), also supported the appeal for sanity and normalcy to be restored in the state.

Jibrin, who is also a resident of the former Northern Regional capital city, advised government and INEC to evolve lasting solutions to political crisis. (NAN)