el-Rufai Lied Over Cyclical Electoral Violence – SOKAPU

BY SEGUN ADEBAYO, ABUJA – The Southern Kaduna Peoples Union (SOKAPU) on Tuesday described Governor Nasir Ahmad el-Rufai’s theory of cyclical electoral violence in Kaduna State as false, saying past records in the state have always shown that apart from the post-2011 violence, there has never been violence associated with elections in the state.
Reacting to the outcome of a meeting the governor held with clerics in Kafanchan in Jema’a Local Government Area during the Sallah celebration, the umbrella body of all the 53 ethnic groups in southern Kaduna, in a press statement signed by its National Public Relations Officer, Mr. Yakubu Kuzamani, the union called on the Federal Government and other security agencies to monitor the state closely so as stave off carefully designed efforts aimed at creating crisis to lend credence to the governor’s unfounded theory.

Debunking insinuation by el-Rufai that the people of Southern Kaduna are difficult and violence-prone, the union declared, “We are disturbed by his description of our people as difficult and violence-prone and that violence in Southern Kaduna is cyclical. Even though he knew, but it is important that we reiterate that Southern Kaduna people are inherently a peaceful and hospitable people. So, why is the Governor adorning us with the cloak and false toga of violence that belongs to the terrorists that were paid compensation by his government? Is there another round of violence at the corner that the government knows? We hope the dog is not being given a bad tag in advance in other to hang it.”
Calling on the public for eternal vigilance to guard against forces that may unleash violence on the people, the union added, “We urge our people to be vigilant against premeditated violence from any quarters. We urge the Federal Government to increase vigilance and security in Southern Kaduna, particularly, between now and the electioneering period.
“We in Southern Kaduna are resolved to make, ensure and continuously keep the peace in Southern Kaduna through all available legal means. Let our people frustrate the devices of merchants of violence against our land and our people. Calling us and describing us with false epithets of “violence” does not and should not change our peaceful disposition as a people. We know who we are.”
Raising suspicion over el-Rufai’s theory of cyclical electoral violence, the union disclosed that it may be a sinister plot aimed at foisting violence ahead of the general elections, adding, “We are putting the world on notice should anything untoward happen. We on our part would do all that is possible to resist any from instigating crisis in our area under any guise.

“We clearly want to reiterate again that our people are peaceful and we have resolved to remain like that, and any contrary description from one man no matter how highly placed cannot change anything.”

Debunking allegations by the governor on cyclical violence, SOKAPU noted, “Moreover, a flip through the catalogue of ethno-religious crises in Kaduna State puts a big lie to el-Rufai’s hypothesis of ‘recurrent crises.’ On the contrary, violent eruptions which occurred in the State were reactions epitomised and clearly demonstrated during the post-2011 poll crisis. Contrary to what the governor would like the World to know, Kaduna States’ last known crisis was the post-2011 polls that started outside Southern Kaduna when the home of a former Vice President was attacked even while the 2011 presidential polls were being collated.

“Apart from the 2000 Sharia crisis that engulfed the State and the 2002 Miss World riot, Kaduna State had enjoyed peace and harmony which was subsequently disrupted following the inhuman attacks on Southern Kaduna communities that have left thriving communities in rubbles and displaced thousands of our people in the affected communities.”