By Amos Tauna
Southern Kaduna in the Diaspora, SOKAD, has observed with dismay that the state and federal governments’ actions have clearly demonstrated a half-hearted and biased commitment to finding peace in Southern Kaduna.
In an open letter to Governor Nasiru Ahmed El’Rufai of Kaduna state, made available to newsmen in Kaduna on Thursday, the forum noted that in several instances, their (Government) actions have continued to undermine the ability of the people to defend themselves.
The letter signed by Freeman Kamuru, Danlami Ngboze and Daidu John, President, Secretary and Financial Secretary respectively, explained that, “Such actions amount to crimes that are prosecutable. Their offices are termed limited and the actions or inaction of those in power, who have sworn to protect and defend the constitution of the Republic and to comply with internal agreement on basic universal human rights will be called to order and tried in due time.
“Southern Kaduna Diaspora ( SOKAD) continues to be troubled by your handling of the genocide in Southern Kaduna. We have expressed our concerns about this on several occasions, specific to the intimidation of your critics, with the hope that the state will modify its approach, but to no avail.
“While the Kaduna State government has made pronouncements on its desire to secure a lasting peace in Southern Kaduna, its actions, so far, have directly contradicted its pronouncements.
“One important step in the process of securing peace in any community is to dialogue with legitimate representatives of the people of the community. However, when the state arrogates to itself the sole power to decide who it will dialogue with, and ignores the people’s choice, it shows that the state call for peace is not genuine.
“A case in point is your attitude toward Southern Kaduna Peoples Union (SOKAPU). SOKAPU is the legitimate representative of the ethnic groups in Southern Kaduna. For the Governor of Kaduna State to refuse to dialogue with this respected group and to refer to its officers as bigots, is unfortunate and unacceptable.
“Your statement on National Television that you will not meet with SOKAPU to discuss strategies for achieving peace in Southern Kaduna raises serious questions about your commitment to peace in the area. SOKAPU is a nationally and internationally respected group, led by learned professionals in different fields of human endeavors, who are well equipped to offer useful advice to the Governor and others in leadership who are truly concerned about the ethnic and religious cleansing going on in Southern Kaduna.
“The recent Operation Harbin Kunama in Southern Kaduna, was initially seen as a positive step toward achieving lasting peace in the area; it was hoped that perpetrators of the genocide-the armed Fulani herdsmen, would be disarmed. Many people in southern Kaduna were leery and skeptical of the effort, just as they were of the establishment of a permanent military presence in the area. Those fears are now confirmed as the Operation Harbin Kunama entered its second phase a couple of weeks ago.
“As it turned out, it is innocent and helpless people of Southern Kaduna who are having their hunting tools and rifles confiscated and soldiers are reported to be going house to house disarming them. The state has failed these citizens by not protecting them and now it is taking away any chance of resistance against the terrorist that are wiping them out.
“The state is therefore aiding and abating the ongoing genocide. This is wrong and therefore unacceptable. From available reports, no terrorist has been disarmed or arrested. The Fulani herdsmen are still armed and keeping their weapons. While some elected Southern Kaduna politicians, such as Senator Danjuma Leah have had their legally obtained guns confiscated, the Emirate in Kafanchan which is widely believed to be a repository of illegally obtained weapons, has not been searched.
“SOKAD is also troubled that Kaduna State is deliberately undermining the education of Southern Kaduna. Under the pretext of security, you and your Commissioner for Education, have closed the only two tertiary Institutions in Southern Kaduna and have no plan to reopen them.
“SOKAD will continue to contribute its quota to ending the genocide in Southern Kaduna. We are committed to being a watchdog for accountable leadership from those elected to serve the people.
“The people of southern Kaduna have had little cause to shout for joy under your regime as the liberty and freedom that you promised as a candidate continues to elude us. Instead, unspeakable tyranny has been visited on us under your watch more than at any time in living memory.”
