Hate Speech: Arrest, Prosecute Gov el-Rufai Now – SOKAPU President

BY AMOS TAUNA, KADUNA – The President of Southern Kaduna Peoples’ Union (SOKAPU), Barrister Solomon Musa says the Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir el-Rufai must be arrested and prosecuted over alleged hate speech and actions capable of inciting violence in the State.

Barrister Musa said such action against the governor will serve as a deterrent to those public office holders in the habit of using their privileged positions to harass political opponents and foment trouble in the polity.

Describing Governor el-Rufai’s combative attitude and choice of language against opposition elements as an express order for people to be violent, the SOKAPU President said; “He is the chief security officer of the state and should therefore not incite people or promote violence among citizens of the State. Though, he might be under immunity, It is however needful for the security agencies to be professional on their jobs as far as hate speech is concern,”

The SOKAPU boss was reacting to Governor el-Rufai’s recent public declaration of the three Kaduna States Senators, Suleiman Othman Hukunyi, Shehu Sani and Danjuma Laah as enemies of the State with the call on citizens to treat them as such as they were not needed in Kaduna.

Musa, who spoke at the Southern Kaduna Peace and Reconciliation Committee meeting with various stakeholders organized by Global Peace Foundation Nigeria, said it is a sad commentary that highly placed politicians, like Governor Nasir el-Rufai, should engage in hateful abuses and remarks capable of inciting the people to violence against innocent citizens.

He said it is important for security agencies to be alive to their constitutional responsibilities by holding such individuals accountable to forestall breakdown of law and order. 

Musa, who also Chairs the Southern Kaduna Peace and Reconciliation Committee (SKPRC), said though the forthcoming local government elections in the State remains the meeting’s vocal point, a lot still needs to be done towards addressing security challenges across the State. 

He maintained that “until security agencies operate dispassionately; earn the confidence and trust of the people, a lot still remains to be done in securing lives and property in the state.” 

According to him, the nation’s security agencies require additional funding going by the enormous sacrifices they have been making in putting their lives on the line to protect the country, adding that regular training and re-training of personnel will also give them the leverage to operate professionally at all times.  

It was also the consensus of stakeholders at the event that Governor el-Rufai’s recent actions and remarks against political opponents in the State have all the trappings of foment crisis and violence across the State.