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From Noah Ebije, Kaduna
The youth wing of Southern Kaduna People’s Union (SOKAPU) has joined other groups to tackle the former governor of Kaduna State, Nasir el-Rufai over recent unguarded comments against the people of the region.
Groups like Southern Kaduna Awake, Middle Belt Forum, Christian groups, amongst others from the region have since slammed el-Rufai comments that tended to diminish the population of the zone.
The SOKAPU youth said since el-Rufai’s name couldn’t scale through ministerial appointment under President Bola Tinubu’s government, he has resorted to attacking the people at any given opportunity.
In a statement, the National Coordinator of the youth wing of Southern Kaduna People’s Union (SOKAPU), Comrade Solomon Simon, noted that el-Rufai’s grievances in recent times against the region was not far-fetched because the people petitioned against him over the ministerial screening before the lawmakers at that time.
The statement read in part: “Our attention has been drawn to the recent comments made by former Kaduna State governor, Mallam Nasir el-Rufai during an interview on a national television, in which he made disparaging remarks about the good people of Southern Kaduna Senatorial District.
“The reason behind el-Rufai’s renewed hatred against Southern Kaduna is not difficult to understand. When his name surfaced for ministerial nomination, we petitioned the National Assembly and duly copied all relevant agencies.
“In that petition, we laid out in details why he was unfit to hold public office, citing his undemocratic style of governance, serial violations of human rights, persistent disregard for court orders, abuse of civil service rules and procedures, and suppression of press freedom during his tenure as governor of Kaduna State.
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“It was this weight of evidence that guided the National Assembly’s decision to withhold his confirmation, and it remains the root of his deep-seated hostility toward our region.
“Furthermore, following the 2023 general elections, a leaked video exposed el-Rufai boasting about being an architect of the Muslim-Muslim ticket. In that same recording, he bragged that the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) had been silenced, and went on to predict that another Muslim-Muslim arrangement would succeed the Tinubu administration.
“Such utterances are not only unfortunate, but also a deliberate attempt to misrepresent and demean an entire people who have made immense contributions to the peace, progress, and unity of our state and our nation.
“What is worrisome, however, is that some unsuspecting Nigerians may take his words at face value. This is why we feel obliged to set the record straight, not because his falsehoods carry weight, but for the sake of the gullible who may not understand him too well, and above all, to defend the dignity of our people.
“True to his mindset, and consistent with his discriminatory treatment of Christians in Southern Kaduna, el-Rufai expected President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to marginalize Christians across Nigeria. To his utmost disappointment, the reverse has been the case.
“Southern Kaduna today stands as one of the major beneficiaries of the Tinubu administration, with landmark projects such as the University of Applied Sciences, a Federal Medical Centre, and several other development initiatives.
“This progress is what has fueled the bitterness behind el-Rufai’s latest tirade. His anger is not about truth or justice, it is simply the frustration of a man whose narrative has been defeated by the reality of Southern Kaduna’s growing relevance in the Nigerian Project.
“We wish to state categorically that people of Southern Kaduna are known for their resilience, hospitality, and commitment to nation building. No amount of reckless speech can erase our history of sacrifice, patriotism, and development.
The group called on el-Rufai to retract his offensive statements and tender an unreserved apology to the people of Southern Kaduna., and added that the people of Southern Kaduna would not be distracted by the attempt to cast them in a negative light.
