Southern Kaduna residents distance themselves from nationwide protests

The Southern Kaduna Peoples Union (SOKAPU) has said its members will not join the planned nationwide protest against the government of President Bola Tinubu.

In a statement issued in Kaduna on Friday, the National Chairman, Tabara Kato, said it would be unwise for the group to join the protest, saying the intention and the organisers of what they want to achieve are not known to them.

According to him, a well-intentioned protest cannot come from people who previously claimed that religion, ethnicity and tribe prohibited protests against leaders, saying that only fools embark on a journey whose destination they cannot predict.

“It is more sensible and meaningful to stay where we are and manage what we know in order to get what we need,” he said. “For now, there is at least a respite in insecurity with hope of improvement. Governments, both at the federal and state levels, are pursuing a policy of inclusion, which is a clear departure from the previous governments of Kaduna State under Mallam Nasiru el-Rufai and Nigeria under former President Muhammadu Buhari.”

He explained that there is hope in the future of the country and urged Nigerians to be patient and give the current federal and state governments time to consolidate their mandates.

While acknowledging the current economic challenges, Kato said the Bola Tinubu administration is engaging stakeholders to stem the challenges, he observed that every government wants to succeed, saying the Federal Government under Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Kaduna State Government under Senator Uba Sani are no exception.

According to him, “they need time and our support to succeed in power. For now, it should be known that SOKAPU supports the government at both levels, contrary to any participation in protests in Kaduna State, Nigeria, and in the diaspora.

He assured that the people of Southern Kaduna are seriously ready and willing to work with anyone who desires to make Kaduna State and Nigeria peaceful and great at this time.