SOUTHERN KADUNA PEOPLE’S UNION (SOKAPU) DISASSOCIATES HERSELF FROM THE KADUNA DECLARATION

8/6/2017

SOKAPU Disassociates Itself From the Reckless Kaduna Declaration.

            On June 6, 2017, a coalition of groups describing themselves as “Northern Youths” came together and issued what they called ‘The Kaduna Declaration’. They issued a three-month ultimatum to all Igbos to leave the north while asking all northerners to also leave the South-East. The coalition served the Igbos its intention to “reclaim, assume and assert sole ownership and control of … landed” properties and assets owned by Igbos in Northern Nigeria. Interestingly and by implication, the group claimed to be speaking for the 19 Northern States of Nigeria. The alleged crime of the Igbos was their quest for secession.    

            We in SOKAPU held back for a while to carefully study the national implication of that declaration, but we can say now without doubt that Section 41, Sub-section 1 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria very explicitly safeguards the rights of all Nigerians to reside in any part of the country with no hindrance whatsoever. The “Arewa Youths” that spoke lack the mandate to speak for all the people of the north, and, certainly, not for Southern Kaduna people. We insist that all Nigerians have the right to live and carry out legitimate affairs in all parts of the Country.

            We unequivocally disassociate ourselves from the toxic fumes of hate and bigotry belched out against the Igbos without provocation by the so-called Arewa Youths for the following reasons:

a.       The lgbos did not in anyway offend Southern Kaduna People. We are a hospitable and accommodating people. We assure the Igbos that their property and assets (movable or immovable) in Southern Kaduna are secured, assured and guaranteed. The security of all Igbos in Southern Kaduna is guaranteed. We will continue to accommodate the Igbos and all persons of goodwill towards us irrespective of their primordial, ethnic or religious cleavages.



b.      The expressed desire of the Igbos to have a separate country of their own is an inalienable right which has not in any way, in our opinion, translated into a crime or provocation to us in Southern Kaduna, the North or the Nigerian State

c.       The lgbos have so far in our estimation merely exercised their rights to gather and to protest peacefully. They exercised their constitutional rights to acquire property in the nooks and crannies of this country. These are not criminal actions.



d.      We were not consulted by the so-called Arewa groups before issuing the Kaduna Declaration despite the fact that Southern Kaduna is in the North West. The declarants, it appears clearly, do not see us as part of the North. None of the 53 ethnic nationalities of Southern Kaduna were consulted. Neither was SOKAPU the umbrella body of the 53 ethnic nationalities of Southern Kaduna consulted. They have, it appears, excised us from the North. They have shown utter contempt and disregard for us as a people. They did not speak for us. Those making such calls threatening fire and brimstone on the Igbos have only served to poignantly demonstrate their bizarre nature. They should be arrested and prosecuted by the Nigerian State immediately. To threaten bona fide Nigerians with eviction and confiscation of their properties is to beat war drums. It is incitement against the Igbos. We condemn the Declaration without reservations.



We ask the “Northern Youths” to look carefully inward into the north and they would find that other bigger problems facing the north’s existence, unity and cohesion has been festering without any comments from them. They should work towards strengthening the fragile trust that exists between and amongst all northerners with other ethnic groups than resorting to hate statements and incendiary ultimatum to bonafide Nigerians. These issues should be of immediate concern to them and not the Igbos.

Thank You.

 Signed: Mr Yakubu Kuzamani

National Public Relation Officer

THE PENETRATION OF ISLAM AND THE ISLAMIC INFLUENCE IN THE HISTORY OF SOUTHERN KADUNA PEOPLE: A FRUIT OF TRANS SAHARAN TRADE BEAING A TALK DELIVERED ON THE SKHISTORY PROJECT; AT ZARIA, NIGERIA ON 25 MARCH 2017

BY

 

JUBAL FREE-MAN (JF.) DABO
Jubalfreemandabo@gmail.com
+234-8140537507

INTRODUCTION
A people's history is set for destruction the very moment such a people focus on the problems of a such a dying history. Most histories of the world stand awash not because they are faced by a force or forces beyond them but because they people are overtaken by the pains of the process of the distraction of their history. Need I establish quickly, the fact that a people without a history or a good grasp of their history is a people soon to exit existence. Far before the 50s southern Kaduna has been under a slow progressive agenda, there has been an existing project at destroying the southern Kaduna history and to this moment such a project is still maintaining its 'progressive' status. His has been progressive not really because the powers against us are stronger than we are but because we settled for dressing the wounds of the project and not facing the I'll project itself. We kept cutting the branches of the unwanted tree with the aim of killing it for each season they (the branches) grew when in fact what we should have done is to destroy it from the roots.
These vain venture is traceable in our numerous struggles in the years past. From the days of fighting for survival when Zazzau kept standing against us, to the years of the quest for freedom in the old Emirate system of ruling, through to the quest for southern Kaduna State, inclusion in governance, the list can go on. All these have been problems, yes, but they are all a process towards one end. That end is the total termination of the southern Kaduna people. I had never been disappointed as I was on the day His Excellency Arch Barnabas Yusuf Bala on an AIT program (Sunrise Daily) stated his inability to see a territorial ambition in the ingoing Fulani terrorist activities in southern Kaduna even when this is clear.
The need to rewrite the southern Kaduna history is one all important task that awaits us, the time to do it is now, and the champions of this project is no other but myself and yourselves. It time we return to the root, develop literatures, build up our youths and redirect the dead articles of our culture and history. It is often said that if you want a task done well, you should do it yourself.
I was invited as a resource person in this historic gathering because of my March 11th rejoinder to the Zazzau Emirate Development Association, That much I know. I found myself compelled to react to ZEMDA's advitorial for no reason but for the fact that it dawn on me that one need challenge such I'll ventures as soon as they arise. In today's gathering, as you demanded, I shall take you on a ride through the issue of trans Saharan trade in central Nigeria, particularly on its impact in southern Kaduna people and the history. Let us go there.

ON THE MYTH OF OUR ORIGIN
It was C.K. Meek, that stated in his work on "The Northern Tribes of Nigeria, vol. I, pp. 19-20. That " because Borno was well connected with Egypt by Darfur and Kordofan, and could be approached from Kanem via Lake Chad, it became the broadway for invading tribes into Northern Nigeria (sic)" Through the corridor created, hordes of invaders from the North and East displaced less organized tribes. C.K. Meek further stated that "the displaced tribes found easy passage west along the Kamadugu River and the great plains of Borno, Kano, Katsina and Zaria to the south." This is in a quest to establish befor the trans-saharan trade days, Central Nigeria in general and Southern Kaduna in particular had a people existing originally there in. Any other as shall be seen here after is but an invader traceable on commercial grounds though this commerce carried with it some more articles that will later deal a dirty blow on the life of Southern Kaduna natives.
Southern Kaduna as we all know is a collection of very many minority ethnic nationalities. These different tribes has with them their individual myth of origin. Given the issue of the limitations of this paper, we shall not so much go into detailed amount of all the various myth of origins we have. But for the sake stinking you to further research, let me place on record here a brief Atyab myth of origin.
The first Atyab Myth of origin has the Atyab as Originally living in the East from where they moved to settle in Katsina, then Sokoto and last to their present locationlocation. In the second Myth of origin they have such ancestors as Minyan who is said to had set out from Kallah in Kajuru District to go hunting and coming to a stream called "Rafago" near the present day Zangon Kataf, he settled there given the abundance of game in the bush there. Minyan Married and gave birth to two sons there, Fakan and Aswan. It is said that in one of his hunting after he had settled, he came across SOE fellows playing in the gully, it turned out that they were playing "Dodo" a fetish worship. Minyan took them to his house and build a compound for them. That saw the expansion of the settlement as with time they both began marrying each other's daughters.
While a third version indicates the original home of the Atyab was located at Kargi close to Ruruma Hills in Kauru District. It holds that Agba'at was the ancestor of Agba'at clan and founder of the Atyab ethnic group. Agba'at is said to have had three sons namely, Amuran, Yafo and Allan. He had set out from Kargi near Dan Allhaji Lere District with his three sons. He came across Minyan's sons "Fakan and Aswen." He stopped at their compound and asked for drinking water, after he had quenched his thirst, they offered and he accepted to stay with them and join in their hunting. It is in the pages of history that it was at the instance of the Agba'at hunters' hunting for elephants that one of them of the Nje sub-clan stambed the ground, (while some will say it was a horse hoof) and Aku who was the ancestor of the Aku clan sprang out of the ground with a calabash of liquor from the hoof mark made by the Nje hunter. Nje is an Agba'at horsemen sub-clan. A fire was made for Aku and after feeling warm, he too remained with Agba'at never to return to his underground home. Aku the founded the Aku clan as Agba'at alongside his son Allan and grand sons Kpaisa and Makwar founded the Agba'at clan. Agba'at with his son and grant sons were said to later moved out and form their dwelling at Tanje from where the group got divided thereby forming Nje, Kpaisa, and Kokwak clans. Kokwak clan on moving Northwards came across the Sokwa clan. At the moment of the said division of the Agba'at clan, it is held that the Kachechere clan was beginning to get smaller and Atswam-Chawai were being confined to the River Kaduna. The story about Sokwa's origin is that himself and his wife miraculously came out of Kaduna River and were rainmakers.
The implication here is that, the Atyab people comprises of distinct groups of clans, namely, the immigrant clans represented by Minyan and Agba'at and the autochthonous clans as Shokwa and Aku. Though most Southern Kaduna tradition of origin are silent about the series of events and movements, especially the causes of such movement, but there is a reference to some attempt at escaping from the heavy taxation imposed on these clans then by the Kauru chief in the case of Minyan, for Agba'at, it was to escape slave raids by the Have rulers of Zazzau. Note that there is no any linguistic, cultural or religious affinity between the Atyab migrants and the Habe people of Katsina and Sokoto. Note too that Katsina and Sokoto as used here may not mean the present day cities of Katsina and Sokoto. Generally, the migration of the Atyab people to their present dwelling is traceable to the 17th and 18th centuries.

TRADES AND THE TRADE ROUTES
Comercial activities where responsible for the penetration of external influence in southern Kaduna territory. The Trans-Saharan Trade stimulated the establishment of five (5) major trade routes namely:

1. Morocco route from Marakeesh to Taodeni, through Audaghost, Walata to Timbuktu.
2. Morocco from Tlemcen and Fez, through Sijilmasa, Taghaza, Tuat-Taotet, Arawa to Go and Timbuktu.
3. Routes from Algeria and Tunis from Constantine through Ghadames, That Air, Agades to Katsina and Kano.
4. The Tripoli-Fezzan-Bornu route through Murzuk, Bilma to Ngazargamu of Bornu.
5. The Cyrenaica-Kufra route to Watal through Kordofan, El Dasher to Sennar in Sudan.

 These five major routes linked North Africa to West Africa as well other areas of Tropical African. E. Onwolabi in a Textbook, Economic History of West Africa established in page 21 that from the Sudanic termini like Wada, Ngazargamu, Kano, Katsina, Timbuktu and Walata came goods from the various parts of West Africa and other parts of Tropical Africa. To Timbuktu and Janne came gold from Begho and Ashanti and also Kolanuts. Cloths Came to Kano from Nupe country and its environs. Leather goods, fund, wax, ostrich feathers and slaves came to Kano and Katsina from various parts of Western Sudan. Kolanuts and ivory came from as far as south as Yorubaland.
In exchange, goods from Europe, North Africa, Asia were brought to Western Africa, they included calicoes and cotton prints from Britain, Italian beads and silk, German swords and blades, Moroccan and Egyptian redcaps, sashes and trousers. Salt was brought down to West Africa as a special commodity through the routes from Taghaza, Taotek and BilmaBilma.
With the Trans-saharan Caravan routes caused the establishment of such local routes from Sudanic termini Wadai, through Ngazargamu, Kano, Katsina, Zaria, Sokoto, Walata southwards towards River Niger and River Benue and beyond. Because of the emergence of Hausa Trading Colonies across southern Kaduna, four of these long distance trade routes deserve our attention:
1. The route from Kano, Faki, Zaria, through Kauru, Znagon Katab, Keffi, Nupeland, Oyo, to Gonja.
2. The route from Kano, Zaria, Igabi, Kakuri, Kajuru, Kachia, Kagarko, Keffi, Oyo to Gonna.
3. Bauchi route through Jos, Bukuru, Miango, Fadan Chawai, Kurmin Rizga, Zangon Katab, Jere, Abuja, to Lokoja.
4. The route from Kano, Gadas, Lere, Zangon Katab, Jema'a, Lokoja.
These four routes further caused the emergence of such other trade routes as we had:

In Ham Land (Ribi Ham)
1. Kwoi-Sambam, Fadan Kagoma, Ungwar Rimi, to Kafanchan
2. Ankun, Kwoi, Nok, Chori, Kuryas, Kurmin Kwara, Kyari.
3. Fadan Kagoma, Ungwar Rana, Gidan Sani, Gidan Jibir, Jaban kogo, Sabon Sarki, Kwaturu, Kachia.
4. Kwoi, Nok, Chori, Kurmin Musa, Kurmin Rami, Gidan Mana, Jaban Kogo to Zonkwa.
5. Kachia, Dangwarga, Kuda, Gantan, Kurmin Dangana, Kubacha, to Kakarko.
6. Kurmin Jatau, Fai, Nok, Chori, Kuryas, Fadan Kagoma.
7. Sambam Daji, Ramindop, Indofa, Ankung, Taime, Idar as presented in Gazetteer of Zaria province, by E.J Arnet.

In Bajjuland
1. Jema'a, Ungwar Rimi, Kamaru, Abet, Farmang, Zuturung to Zonkwa.
2. Zonkwa, Zuturung, Framang, Abet, Gidan Maga, to Jaban Kogo and Walijo.
3. Zonkwa, Badauchi, Tsoriyang, Aduwan, Madakiya, to Kafanchan.
4. Kafanchan, Katsit, Ungwar Rimi, Marsa, Rikawa, Jaban Kogo, Walijo to Kachia.
5. Fadan Kaje, Zonkwa, Fadiya, Fadan Kamantan, Kurmin Mazuga, to Kachia.

In Adaraland
1. Kachia, Ankwua, Awon, Kojo, Kateri.
2. Kakau, Kankomi, Kasuwan Magani, Kalla, Libere, Kauru.
3. Kachia, Kurmin Biri, Idon, Doka, Kufana, Kajuru.
4. Kachia, Ankura, Mai Ido Kafai, Bishni.

In Akurmiland
1. Karun Kurama, Doka, Ramin kura, Danjaba, Lere, Sabon Birni, Dan Alhaji, to Tudun Wada.
2. Rahama, Saminaka, Sabon Birni, Tsuruntawa, Yarkasuwa, Kudaru, Maigamo.
3. Kudaru, Goron Dutse, Kukun Kurama, Maskawa, Juran Taba to Bauchi.
4. Goron Dutse, Kakun Kurama, Galmo, Kayarda, Sabon Birni, Saminaka, Rahama.

In Aworokland, Asholioland and Attakadland
1. Kagoro-Chawai route through, Tsok-awai, Abum, Madamai, Makwahu, Magata, Mayayit, Masong, to Zangon Katab.
2. Attakar-chawai route through Watyab, and Makwahu, linking up with the Kagoro-Chawai route at Magata.
3. kagoro-Ganwuri (Aten) route through Dusai, Watyab, Gizagwai, Manchok and Mahuta.
4. Kachechere, from Kagoro, through Dusai, Mafonk, and Jankasa.
5. Kagoro-Koro route through Kafanchan, Ungwar Rimi, Fadan Kagoma, to Kwoi-(Dah),Jaba.
6. Kagoro-Zonkwa route through Tsok-awai, Zali, Tsoriyang, Fagwai, Kankada, to Zongwa as reported in J. Gyuk's Occasional unpublished Paper of 1981 Titled; Thoughts on Jaban Local Government.

THE ESTABLISHMENT OF ZANGOS
The local long distance Trans-saharan trade routes reported above necessiteted the emergence of Hausa trading colonies hereafter to be referred to as "hospitality or resting zones that sprang along these routes. Most of this colonies are referred to in their original Hausa name as Zango, and Zango is Hausa name for a resting places. Most of these Zangos carry with them the Hausa possessive sign or indicator which is the letter "n" and then followed by the name of the southern Kaduna native tribe that hosted this Hausa traders to indigate that these are hospitality centers granted the traders by the southern Kaduna natives, also by extension to show that the land is originally for the Southern Kaduna natives. However not all this ZANGOS carry with them the Zango, tag as must just settled with names, most of which are not the original names of this places. This is where we find the clear attempt at changing history. These ZANGOS include: Zangon Aya, Pambeguwa, Rahama, Saminaka, Lere, Kauru, Kajuru, Kachia, Kagarko, Jere, Zangon Katab, Jema'a Dororo later Kafanchan, amongst others.

PENETRATION OF ISLAM INTO SOUTHERN KADUNA

RE:ENDORSEMENT OF SEN. SHEHU SANI BY SOKAPU YOUTH WING.

May peace be upon southern Kaduna both now and ever more in Jesus name. Amen.
It was with a heart full of shock and disappointment but not with surprise that I received the information of the supposed endorsement of Sen. Shehu Sani for Kaduna State Governor come 2019. I was shock not because I though of it as being truth, but I was shock because it came earlier than I expected. I had always known that time is coming when SOKAPU will face a lot of challenges that shall attempt to divide her or temper with the trust and support she is receiving all over Southern Kaduna. Well, we all know the Governor Nasiru El'rufai is at it with SOKAPU and shall do all within his power to deal a dirty blow on SOKAPU given his media chat which I still have the video where he term SOKAPU as bigots and the something like SOKAPU is the challenge on ways out of the security issues bedevilling us. Not the first time sha.

I am by no way saying Governor El'rufai is responsible for the unsuccessful attempt at destroying the image of SOKAPU, what I mean to establish here is that, given the fact that El'rufai is the Governor with many supporters that will do anything to improve his acceptance  even without his knowing, and to most importantly to enhance the benefits they draw from affiliating with him. Giving the fact that SOKAPU is standing strong and is a possible thread to El'rufai, given the fact that He, Governor Nasiru El'rufai have openly and countlessly proving to be on a fight with SOKAPU. Is only ordinary that on the political aspect of the whole thing, we should expect such attempts.

I am not speaking for SOKAPU, I am not speaking for myself, I am simply speaking for truth and wisdom for the sake of a common good.

Like i did said in a comment at Gurara Forum. We all know where it came from. I actually received the information yesterday evening at about 8pm on my way from a close door meeting with the SOKAPU National President somewhere in Abuja. As there was no sign of thoughts to that regards from the chief servant of the good people, I had a reason among other reasons to doubt the information.

One other thing that pushed me into doubting the truth in SOKAPU signing that is in the arrangement of the information. It was a design at blackmailing someone. At least the structure of the whole information suggests that. A careful, objective and critical look at the text one will notice the fact that this is a negative attempt at destroying SOKAPU. I TELL YOU HOW. The whole narration spoke as if to say SOKAPU not SOKAPU youth wing did the endorsement. The only thing that made for the knowledge of the party involved as the SOKAPU youth wing was the list lines which however to achieve the original aim was decorate with the words that say: "he, (Nasiru Jagaba), said the endorsement was the stand of all southern Kaduna". It will take only one who is ignorant of the powers that be and SOKAPU dealings to accept this fabricated facade as truth.

Another thing that gave me the reason to doubt this is the relationship that I know between SOKAPU main body and her other wings. By my judgement, given my most recent romance with the main body and the youth wing. It is near impossible to imagine that one wing will attempt anything little than endorsing a candidate without the permission of the National President who I was more than sure is not aware of the whole thing.

Still. Given the fact that Sen. Shehu Sani have not openly announced his intention to contest. Given the fact that it is still too early to begin endorsement of candidates by whatever group, given the fact that no single group have endorsed or show interest at endorsing any candidate, given the fact that though the LG elections seem near yet no SOKAPU Local Government branch have received the right to endorse any candidate for the LG elections. And given the fact that there was never a topic on such political matters at both the youth wing and the Main body's National Congresses this year. I found it insane to believe such as coming from SOKAPU.

The pictures added to many people's confusion, but for me, it never because SOKAPU will not refuse any body a chance to have a dialogue. We all know how she have attempt discussing with Mr. Governor and how the have complained bitterly about the refusal of the Governor to invite them to meetings other groups had been invited. These all made for reasons why I refused to believe the news.

What I did when I saw the news was to immediately check Nasiru Jagaba 's Facebook wall, since I did not saw it there I quickly copied the post and send it to his private WhatsApp line for confirmation.

WHAT IS THE POINT?
I was disappointed with the way and manner many of us received the news. Majority of us jumped into insulting and cursing calling people names without a careful look and hearing from the other end. What i see in that attitude is the fact that we are still liable to being easily distracted.

I PLEAD FOR THE SAKE OF THE LAND
We should understand each other and know what each is of us is capable of doing. Verify where necessary and possible. We all should know that the forces against us are working day and night, everywhere even among us, in different approaches even the one we least expect and we should know this forces are struggling hard to pull us down.

They feel if SOKAPU can go down, they have their way. They know SOKAPU is our one pillar of the strength of our unity. They also want to tune to the days of of old where our disunity was a tool for easy marginalization on us.

For the sake of the land and for the sake of the future generation, My brothers, My sisters, I call on us with a big voice this night; we must stand and resist these wicked powers with our all even if it cost our lives knowing that we live to die, and we die only when our work here is over. We must implore every strength, will and all we own into fighting to a successful end this powers that be. We must be united than never before. Time and again. This should be for us a warning from God on what we should expect as the general elections keep drawing near. We must refuse any distractions, any mischief, any calculated attempt at dividing us no matter how intelligent and convincing such mischiefs may seem.

It is sad that a group by the name "Concerned Southern Kaduna APC Youths" have issued out a press statement, some sort of a rejoinder against that. The problem is not in the fact that the rushed into fighting SOKAPU over what was send on air without them verifying. No that is even mild. The worst is that this group in her rejoinder signed by her leader Mr. Manasseh Istifanus outlined points that speak loudly that they will as a group support what is APC's first before considering Southern Kaduna. If that is true, why should the bear Southern Kaduna then, why not they go by the name "Concern APC Youth in Southern Kaduna (CAYISOK)"? then we will know they are APC first before Southern Kadunan.

I marvelled at the tune of the opening of their rejoinder, sounds more like truly their Lord's. They said "On behalf of the APC Youths from Southern Kaduna, we wish to state categorically that we dissociate ourselves from that kangaroo endorsement of Sen. Shehu Sani by the Leadership of the SOKAPU Youth..." For Christ sake this is not a Southern Kaduna voice. You are not at war, be calm and make your point.

Granted it is true as this group claimed that "Sen. Shehu Sani is not from Southern Kaduna and he is not representing Southern Kaduna in the National Assembly". I wish they know that Nasiru El'rufai is equally feels he is not of Southern Kaduna as shown by his unfriendliness to anything Southern Kaduna. Hence he seem to say he should not and in fact he is not representing Southern Kaduna either. Wa ne da asara?

They claim he Sen Sani "has never identified himself with the people of Southern Kaduna not until recently that he started nursing a political ambition that he started showing solidarity to the people of Southern Kaduna". Well, I leave it at that, but the statement that followed does not support that as the group's reason for disassociating with SOKAPU. They say and I quote "If at all there is a politician who has always identified himself with the people of Southern Kaduna, who is not from the zone, it should have been Sen. Suleiman Hunkuyi; so why did the Leadership of the SOKAPU Youth did not deemed it fit to call Sen. Hunkuyi instead?" This means if it were Sen. Hunkuyi, they will have no issues with SOKAPU endorsing a candidate now. Such a shame.

She equally used the opportunity to express a grievance she seem to be holding against SOKAPU when she said "In their (kindly underline THEIR) communiqué, the SOKAPU Youth Leadership tagged Governor Nasir Elrufai as the “press secretary” of SIECOM which further portrays the partisanship of a Sociocultural group that is supposed to be politically neutral". Whoever deceives this group with the wrong definition of being partisan is what I do not seem to get. Please. We must never forget that we are Southern Kaduna first before being APC. Like I keep saying, my political interest die where a life is involved because that is where my being human is more activated. We must not sale off our land for 30 pieces of silver because we know, the end of such is that the 30 silver will be useless and we will end up being ourselves executioners. That is always the end of a betrayer.

In conclusion, SOKAPU must from now be proactive, wise and more smart in her dealings with whoever. Like I said above. This should be a warning to us about the many challenges to come. When it gets tough, we too must get tough. One thing is sure. Truth always succeed.
Southern Kaduna;
Let love
Let understanding
Let unity lead our senses.

JF. Dabo.
Jubalfreemandabo@gmail.com

A CLOSED LETTER TO COMRADES IN THE SOUTHERN KADUNA STRUGGLE: A CALL TO A FIGHT WITH WIT

                                          Saturday 3 June, 2017

I find it a rare privilege to call thee brothers and sisters in the struggle. Who am I to stand before the great assemble of such distinct fellows with ocean size experiences? I sincerely appreciate your humility that allow me a place with you, and the love of God that binds us together. May Southern Kaduna live in Jesus name. Amen.

Following the recent trend with regards to our struggle for a free, peaceful and progressive southern Kaduna community. We have had to engaged some of our very own on the other side. I must acknowledge and appreciate our gallantry for fearlessly facing the foe of our existence in a way and manner we are doing. I can only pray that God keep us stronger and better bound in love and unity for the sake of the Land. May Southern Kaduna live in Jesus name. Amen.

However, I find the need to call us into a more deep thought, an appeal to wisdom. It is true that we who are here have achieved a great deal for the land in the recent past. God have been faithful and we have the sympathy of such mighty men and groups that believe in the true pure intentions of why we set out for this fight. We cannot afford to destroy such blessings and opportunity now.
May Southern Kaduna live in Jesus name. Amen.

It is common knowledge that we are yes; fighting against the foes of our existence, but wisdom has it that a careful study of the foe at battle is the lead way to defeating him. Rufai have employed yet another plan of using our very own commonly known among us as his media rats. The sad thing is that we are yet to see the risk in the models we put to use against this fellows, (our brothers, the tools of El'rufai). May God never let them succeed and may Southern Kaduna live in Jesus name.

THE BIG DEAL
The big deal is that, we have the world believe in us as an army for a people who are being killed for no reason worthwhile, with no one (government) doing anything to help. And that is the truth.
We have the world believe in the fact that as many of us that have been arrested or threatened with arrest, those of us who have been prosecuted and maltreated, those of us who have survived series of life threatening attacks; all is for the fact that we have dared to stand and fight against those who have taken an oath that they must wipe us all from the face of the earth. And that too is the truth.
We have given very many people of goodwill and agencies reasons to trust in our spoken and written words as objective and reliable with regards to the Southern Kaduna security challenges. And that is true. This is what I say we cannot afford to destroy.

THE PROBLEM
Now El'rufai is paying for the services of our brothers to fight us while he takes a break. I know as much as you do, that, a commander's retreat in the middle of a battle cannot be taken for cowardice by anyone in his right senses. Hence, the need to go steps ahead as we await him to put a show soon.
While he rests, he ensured that he kept us busy and distracted before his return by setting our brothers and equipping them with all he thinks they need to engage us in a fight that will yield him the result it is yielding. Me he meet his shame in our wisdom and may Southern Kaduna live in Jesus name. Amen.

BE CAREFUL COMRADES AND CONCENTRATE ON RUFAI NOT HIS RATS.
Mine is a call to order, and an appeal to reason that we should see the fact that engaging the likes that we have termed Rufai's media rats is worst a danger than fighting Rufai himself.

My reasons are these. The world see us fighting ourselves than fighting Rufai or negative forces against the lives of SKnites. What that means is that, for every fight we put against those fellows, we succeed in adding a step towards a prove that there is more to it in the fight than fighting for insecurity, marginalization and what have you. Still better, it is making it look a fight of clash of interest of some sort. Of which we know our collective and individual interest is pure. To save the land.

We must guard against anything that may end up proving to the fragile minds what Rufai have been saying about us using the security challenge for political gains. Me and you know that it is a lie, but the fact that we have people believe in us does not mean they can not be misled into the wrong path that will deal us a dirty blow.

A CALL
We must be wise in engaging these guys. They are paid to achieve an aim, which to me, the aim is to prove that 'oh after all it was politics in play'. We must not risk it. Our enemy is ready to take any opportunity to win the fight, we must not grant that opportunity. I call on a focus on the real deal than the distractions. Our fight is against the lion and the lion's clan not the rats.

SUMMARY
Fighting our brothers is proving the deceitful claim that the fight is of political interest than it is proving them as sale out and betrayals. We must bring the fight to the table of wisdom and set ourselves right with our brothers no matter the power of the spirit that possess them. I believe truth always has a way out. Let truth which we stand for lead us into settling this matter of the fight with our brothers on the other side in such a way that it will not be disastrous to the land or the truth about the fight.

If my letter to you will not do us good, kindly disregard it so that it does us no harm please. But if you find it useful, please think deep in what it says and build up defence for the sake of truth and that Southern Kaduna may live in Jesus name.

God bless Southern Kaduna,
God bless Southern Kaduna People's Union (SOKAPU),
God bless the comrades in the struggle,
May Southern Kaduna live in Jesus name.


Faithfully yours in the struggle.
JF. Dabo.

LAW MAKER CALLS ON KAD STATE GOVT TO URGENTLY REOPEN HIGHER INSTITUTIONS IN SOUTHERN KADUNA.

A member of the house of reps  representing Jaba and Zango kataf constituency Hon Sunday Marshall Katung aka SMK  has called on the management as well as  the Kaduna state Government to re-open the 3 institutions of higher learning based in southern Kaduna namely ;
1.Kaduna State University kafanchan Campus
2.College of Education Gidan waya
3.College of Nursing  Kafanchan.

Hon SMK while responding to questions fielded by journalist in Zonkwa on friday 2nd June 2017 on the occassion where he distrubuted thousands of bags of fertilizers to farmers in his constituency (Jaba /Zangon Kataf ) reiterated the fact that  the people of his constituency and southern Kaduna generally are farmers. Agriculture is the main stay of the economy  and it is done both for subsistence as well as commercial purposes. It  is in that regards therefore that he decided to alleviate the suffering of the poor farmers in his constituency  by assisting in the provision of fertilizer. He maintained that  as an individual he cannot provide enough for everyone's  satisfaction ,but would continue to do his best to assist in these and  other areas of importance .

On the closure of schools (Higher institutions)in southern Kaduna ,Hon SMK insisted that even though there were some initial  security concerns that justified the closure of  the institutions   in the first place  which was understandable ,the  continued closure to this time is unacceptable,he mentioned Yobe,Borno and Adamawa states where insurgency is at its peak and yet higher institutions of learning  are still in session. If that be the case then  there is no reason why the situation in Kaduna should be different especially with  the near relative peace we  are  experiencing  now  .He insisted that failure to open this institutions as soon as possible without concrete reasons will create suspicion as well as unecessary tension in the area which is not healthy.

On the issue of the relocation of the Kad State University Kafanchan Campus  to Kaduna,He said they have been assured by the authorities that it was a mere temporary measure and that   students will revert to statusquo in due cause.Meannwhile  he said it is on record that  KASU was created by an act of the  Kaduna State House of Assembly  as a two Campus university  with Kaduna and Kafanchan as the Campuses ,hence an executive fiat relocating the Kafanchan campus permanently  to Kaduna will be null and void.He called on the people of his constituency and Southern Kaduna generally to be calm ,peaceful and law abiding as himself and his colleagues in the National assembly as well as other stakeholders are  on top of the matter and other issues  alike expecting a very positive outcome as soon as possible.

He commended the Kaduna state Government for restoring relative peace so far in Southern Kaduna while employing them to be more proactive rather than reactive ,to matters of security so that peace would be permanently restored in Sothern kaduna particularly and kaduna state at large.

He concluded that as  a legislator ,his primary responsibility is to enact laws that will trigger development ,both human and physical as well as other devidends of democracy  to his immediate constituency and the country at large ,he promised not to fail in his key responsibility as most of his activities are work in progress and the results will be coming out in phases as time goes on.

A cross section of people interviewed during the event unanimously  applauded the Hon Member and  wished others holding peoples mandate would emulate him

KADUNA WILL BE GREAT AGAIN-426

Kaduna Will Be Great Again - 426

I want to Thank Audu Maikori for the 90 billion naira lawsuit against the governor. May God continue to guide and keep Maikori for SK and Nigeria. I want to also say a big kudos to CEDRA for taking the challenge to sue the Government over the closure of KASU. God bless CEDRA. I wish CEDRA also look into the relocation of the school as well. However this is neither about CEDRA nor Audu Maikori.

Some one asked why I was yet to say something about SOKAPU youth wing and Shehu Sani scandal. Scandal? I couldn't believe people could call a simple social interaction scandal? Phew! So sad how naive people can easily be, and it always beat me how some people couldn't see through the smokescreens among which are:

1. To create suspicion among SOKAPU youth wing members and paralyse its resolve to fight unitedly and formidably.

2. To embarrass the Senator and force the Senator to make a statement that will expose his intention.

3. To halt the making of political alliances for the Senator so the Senator could eventually become politically isolated.

I didn't want to talk about this issue because I feel it's just too stupid, but when politically savvy people like Dr. John Danfulani, who were quietly observing the shenanigans had to step into the ring, I knew I had to respond to my interrogator. John knew it was foolery to speak about endorsement before declaration of intention, thus rendering the arguments of the El-Rufai media team null and void, and consequently, making the interrogation of Nasiru Jagaba on whether he collects money or not, endorse or not, by some southern Kaduna persons, completely useless.

Some people are of the opinion that the SOKAPU youth wing led by Jagaba should be more careful next time after the stables have been cleaned. Being careful is fine, but being careful because El-Rufai's team threw a stupid propaganda is playing to the gallery and leaving El-Rufai the Victor. Nasiru Jagaba should defy El-Rufai some more by publicly consolidating his relationship with the Senator. If El-Rufai feels so disappointed with Jagaba, he should go climb Kufena mountains, jump and fall, but not to die. When El-Rufai forced Jagaba to resign and eventually picked and arraigned, Senator Shehu Sani was there. As a stand up guy, the Senator stood by Him. Now, you wonder what business has Jagaba with the Senator? I guess you have no idea what gratitude is.

Some of us must not be seen fighting a group of APC Street rebels, deliberately sent on us to distract us and dissipate our useful energy. We must concentrate on El-Rufai, and ignore the little irritating diversion. This is not about Nasiru and Shehu Sani too.

Now to the matter of the day: intelligence reaching me spoke of the resignation of one of our finest presenters, Jacqueline Adebija with Liberty FM. Earlier on, I got information that she was suspended without salary. Now she has been forced to resign. Let me say something here: Jacqueline, it was who always sought to balance views at Liberty, since we have an army of ready alleluia singers for government. She has hosted some of us severally on our critical views on government. I have personally been invited to Liberty TV severally, courtesy Jacqueline. She has a magnetic personality in the media world.

You will recall somewhere earlier last year, when Mannesah Istifanus and Jonah Pompo took to their heels on hearing that a Doctor John Danfulani has stormed the studio too in opposition to their position. In their flight, the duo blamed Adebija for setting them up, in not informing them on who they were up against. They got Adebija to publicly explained the modalities in invitation to a radio talk-show as well as the behind the scenes discussion where Mannesah pleaded to be left off the hook as Dr. John Danfulani knows alot. Adebija then expressed worry that Mannesah Istifanus was jeopardising her job with his bogus claims of a set-up, making her look partisan in favour of the opposition. But like I earlier stated, Adebija was simply avoiding what Chimamanda, will call the danger of a single story, to give Liberty FM a liberal and robust face, and not just the sycophantic faces of alleluia singers for government alone. Her presence at Liberty told alot of persons that Liberty is truly liberal. But with her forced resignation now, can we say same? How can you suspend a Jacqueline Adebija with no pay?

Jacqueline Adebija has joined the long list of persons victimised for speaking the truth. She has been victimised for being unbiased and against the unending massacres in Southern Kaduna. She refused to accept that such massacres are alright and her vocality on the matter has earned her a forced resignation. These massacres have continued for Chikun registered the latest herdsmen atrocities. Jacqueline has now joined a long list of southern Kaduna heroes, in the league of Dr. John Danfulani, Luka Binniyat, Nasiru Jagaba, Jeremiah Sunday, etc, even though she is not from Southern Kaduna.

Jeremiah Sunday is challenging his dismissal as a staff of the Federal College of Education Kafanchan; and his case comes up on 7th June 2017 at an Industrial court in Kano. Ahmadu Ayuba will be traveling from Katsina to be with him in Kano on that day. We hope he gives the government a bloody nose like Gloria Ballason did. Jeremiah Sunday's victory is our collective victory too, thus we all have a moral responsibility to stand by Him to the very end. Yes, we can not all go to Kano, but we can support those who may wish to go but are indisposed. Many in Jeremiah's shoes have resigned to fate and have been crying in silence, but Jeremiah has dared to be different by challenging his dismissal - he deserves our encouragement, for it is not his battle but ours, especially in the face of massive arbitrary sacks based on sadistic whims as perpetrated by government functionaries as punishment for people perceived to be anti-government.

From Dr. John to Jeremiah Sunday, and most recently, Jacqueline Adebija; you will find victims of expressing the truth in the face of oppression and unending massacres.

Ironically, this same government that sack its citizens for their right to expression, is disturbing the public on another white elephant project known as residency card. This is another wastage of public funds because the reasons advanced to uphold this project are powder-puff reasons - for the people's welfare. Can you beat that? A government that glory in massive sacks, regardless of the multiplier effects on dependants, is now talking about welfare, because the project can ease siphoning of public funds for private use as usual. A government with a human face that cares about welfare, will not initiate move to expunge over 3000 workers in the traditional institutions on the premises of wastage. So the welfare that necessitated the residency card is not wastage huh? How hypocritical is their sympathy?

Viva Jacqueline Adebija
Viva Jeremiah Sunday

Your sacks are part of the Government efforts in making Kaduna great again, but by God in heaven, we will continue to resist these sick and sadistic pestilence over our land.

A LETTER TO MY PEOPLE SOUTHERN KADUNA: A PEACE PACT IS A SEAL OF RECONCILIATION AND NOT A PROCESS OF RECONCILIATION

                                                                                             Wednesday 26 October, 2016              

Dear Brother/Sisters
It would be recalled that early this year Southern Kaduna Signed a peace pact, as was reported in page 14 of the Splendor of Truth News Paper Vol. 6 No 4 of April, 2016. The pact was tagged 'Kafanchan Peace Declaration' which the center for humanitarian dialogue facilitated as sponsored by the Canadian government subject to the inter-communal dialogue process initiated by her last year in areas affected by the 2015 communal clashes. In the report, Five Local Government areas were said to have been covered in this pact to include as reported; Sanga, Kachia, Kaura, Zangon Kataf and Jama'a. This pact was signed by Christian and Islam representatives within the areas covered. But just after this drama and what could be better described as a day dream, the next we heard was yet another attack much more terrible in Jama'a Local Government Area.

To this regard many commented for and against the pact. In my last epistle titled "An Open Letter to My Leaders: I Hear Gurara Cry We No Longer need Peace But Justice" I rised some fundamental questions regarding that pact. I attempt bringing to our consciences the fact that we are not ready for no peace pact now. And I gave my reasons which I shall still repeat here.

This morning again we woke up from our little one eye sleep only to be greeted with yet another news of a peace pact and this time with a larger number of over 29 communities involved in the signing. This particular pact is reported in today (26/10/2016)'s print and electronic media. It is reported as being lead by a Swiss Humanitarian Body.

Dear Traditional, Religious and Political Leaders, Dear Elders, Parents, brothers and Sisters I seek to know:
1. What peace pact could be signed in southern Kaduna now?
2. With whom are we signing the peace Pact?
3. What knowledge of grievances against us as held by our attackers do we have?
4. Who in fact is the attacker?
5. To what extend can we say the attacker is truly ready to lay down arms?
6. Before the signing ot at the venue of the signing how many weapons were surrendered and by who?
If we cannot positively answer this questions raised and many others, I stand to say without fear of contradiction that Southern Kaduna is dancing yet into another trap.

In the last letter I asked and I am still asking, for how long shall we be fooled and distracted into this ventures of signing for peace and entering into dialogues that never yields any thing fruitful as far as the desired goal is concern? why should we keep signing a document with the very wrong fellows?
I call it signing with the wrong fellows because both those who signed the last peace pact and those who signed the present from our attackers side will surely tell us they do not know who the culprits of the last and present attacks are. Those we keep signing with are those who will better prove that they are in total ignorance of the attacks and those behind it than they would prove it is those we suspect are. 

Once again I still see a painted picture of a father who has a very stubborn child, he knows this child will never listen to his words that is in fact if he is even able to set eyes on this stubborn child. But while the child is busy planning for his next crime the father is in bed and at the moment of the child's execution of is planned crime, the father will be at the oath desk taking an oath and signing documents ordinarily his son should.

In my little wisdom, I feel the need for reconciliation arises only after we truly know who is attacking us, why the attack, and after we have accepted the solutions we arrive at together with our attacker and then after meeting all we require of each other then the signing can come in which case it will be but the seal of our reconciliation. 

But what do I see? we are signing for peace over a problem we have no grasp of let alone talk of reconciliation about, we are signing with who we know will forever claim he is not aware of the problem and at a time we should be busy building our defense. This is a fruitless venture, it is fruitless and only a distraction to the victims in waiting. We are always the victims and always it is to us the plea for peace, calm, and tolerance is addressed.

I wish to call us to order, SOKAPU cannot be making a press release that is laying unanswered and in another angle signing a peace pact. We know how localities in Jama'a Local Government are laying cold with no sound of humans but the Fulani who are grazing on the peoples Farms at a time Government are calling for the revival of the Agricultural sector. We are all aware of the situation in Pasakori and Gidan Waya axis as at this moment. Bearing these facts in mind one would want to ask, What is the Peace Pact addressing?

To this regard I humbly make these prayers:
1. That Southern Kaduna should clearly defined who is speaking for her at this moment.
2. That southern Kaduna should come up with conditions that must me met before signing any Pact.
3. That among those conditions in 2, above southern Kaduna should clearly seek to know;
a. Who is attacking her.
b. For what purpose is she attacked.
c. Have the purpose for the attack been achieved?
c. Who sues for the peace?
d. Have the attackers truly lay their arms?
e. Where are the arms.
f. Why are the attackers in fact laying the arms? 
For unless and until these are favorably answered there is no need for entering into any agreement.

4. That SOKAPU should stage out a global protest against this issues.
5. That Southern Kaduna should agree and walk as a group than fighting this as individuals.

We appreciate the international bodies for their interventions, but I will better appreciate our leaders to seek the help of this international bodies more on trying to know what really the problem is because we cannot solve a problem without knowing what the problem is. The problem with southern Kaduna is not that she is attacked. The attack is just a result of the problem. So we must seek to know why we are attacked, what our attackers need.

Fellow comrades, I want you to bear this fact in mind that there are only two reasons that could make our attackers lay down there arms. These reason would be:
1. That they (they attackers) have achieved the aim of attacking us, or
2. That they are forced or over powered that they have no way but to lay down their arms.
Clearly you would see a peace pact is not part of this.

Lastly, dear Comrades, My leaders, brothers and Sisters, we must never forget that signing for peace should be the last thing in the process. We would only sign for peace after reconciliation. Get me very clearly on this. A peace pact is a seal of reconciliation and not a reconciliation process. Signing pacts as these would only distract us to our attackers gain.

This I Humbly Submit.

Yours Ever.
Jubal Free-man Dabo B.
Jubalfreemandabo@gmail.com