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From Noah Ebije, Kaduna
The Southern Kaduna Professionals’ Forum (SKPF) has cautioned political actors against dragging the region into the ongoing controversies surrounding former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, insisting that the suffering of its people must not be reduced to political ammunition.
In a statement issued yesterday by its spokesperson, Samuel Yakubu, the Forum said Southern Kaduna endured painful experiences during the immediate past administration and warned against attempts to exploit those memories for political vendettas.
“Southern Kaduna is not a tool for elite political battles. Our pain is not a campaign slogan and our losses are not bargaining chips in power struggles,” the statement read.
The Forum recalled that several communities in the region experienced persistent security challenges, displacement and destruction of property during the period, noting that the consequences are still being felt by families, farmers and business owners.
According to the group, beyond insecurity, urban renewal exercises carried out at the time allegedly resulted in demolitions that disrupted livelihoods, while civil society organisations and journalists also raised concerns about shrinking civic space.
“The scars of those years are real. They live in displaced families, abandoned farmlands, struggling businesses and communities still trying to rebuild,” the statement added.
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While clarifying that its position was not driven by revenge, the forum called for what it described as a transparent and lawful review of policies and actions undertaken during the former governor’s tenure.
“Accountability is not persecution. Review is not revenge. Justice is not hatred. If governance decisions led to avoidable suffering, democratic institutions must examine them,” it stated.
The group further cautioned individuals and associations from Southern Kaduna, who may be aligning with political interests to refrain from using the region’s history as leverage in the ongoing disputes.
“The memory of those who lost their lives must not be trivialised for temporary alliances. Southern Kaduna must not be weaponised in political chess games,” the forum warned.
It maintained that its position was anchored on the pursuit of truth, healing and institutional reforms aimed at preventing a recurrence of past experiences.
“Power is transient. Authority is temporary. History is permanent. Every leader must understand that decisions taken in office echo long after tenure ends,” the statement concluded.
