Fani-Kayode to El-Rufai: Stop oppressing southern Kaduna people
A former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode, has called on the Kaduna State governor, Nasir el-Rufai to stop oppressing and marginalising the people of Southern Kaduna.
He said this at the 19th Prayer Summit of the Southern Kaduna Christian Leaders Association held at the new Township Stadium in Kafanchan, Jema’a Local Government Area of the State on Saturday.
Fani-Kayode, who was the Guest Speaker at the Summit, lamented that the Kaduna State government has refused to empower and develop the Southern Kaduna area which he said is blessed with human and natural resources.
The former Minister said, “El-Rufai, I want to say this to you that you need to stop the marginalization against the Southern Kaduna people. El-Rufai, I say this to you, stop oppressing Southern Kaduna people.
“El-Rufai, I say this to you, ensure equitable distribution of resources, appointments, empowerment and development in Kaduna State. Southern Kaduna people are not slaves. Southern Kaduna people are not second class citizens.”
Represented by Rev. Emmanuel Olurunmoaba, Fani-Kayode charged the people of Southern Kaduna to be wary of alleged “plans to take over your land from you by changing the title of your traditional rulers to emirs and if you allow them to succeed, they impose strangers on you just as Fulanis are ruling in Ilorin, Kwara State, till today.”
Fani-Kayode declared that the people of Southern Kaduna are under “siege” saying that the chains and sufferings can only be broken through fervent prayer, “but not by prayer or just talking alone, there must be a solemn assembly, there must be strategic planning and a strategic well mapped out corresponding action.”
He challenged the Church Leaders from the area to rise up and speak out against the killings, oppression and injustices done to them and their people because “the souls you are called to minister to are being massacred, your people are being brutally murdered not because of their wrongdoing but just because of their faith and ethnicity.”
He stated that “there is marginalization against the Southern Kaduna people in terms of development through government projects. The people are being downgraded in terms of appointment. It is only when they need your votes that they know that you are important, after that, they continue with the marginalisation, subjugation, oppression and dehumanization.
“Is it a crime to be a Christian? Is it a crime to be a non-Fulani man? Is it a crime to be of Southern Kaduna extraction? But that is what they want to make you believe and you must reject that,” he stated.
Fani-Kayode added, “If you can come together as one people, if you will allow the progress of Southern Kaduna take priority irrespective of your differences, then, you can be united as one people and produce a Governor from Southern Kaduna.
“Don’t be intimidated, arise, shine and move forward for God is with you. I want to categorically affirm that when you are ready for the governorship in Southern Kaduna, you can count on me, Olufemi Fani-Kayode, to give you all the support within my power,” he said.
Furthermore, the chairman of the Southern Kaduna Christian Leaders Association, Bishop Simon Mutum, said the conduct of the 2019 general elections gave the association serious concerns.
Mutum, who is also the Bishop of the Anglican Communion, Kafanchan Diocese, said: “As impartial religious leaders and elders who watched all that happened, we affirm that a level playing ground was not created for all the players.
“Unless and until the electoral processes are critically looked into and addressed, we may never conduct just, fair and credible elections in Nigeria. The survival of our nascent democracy is dependent on INEC who ought to be truly independent. The rule of law must also be applied and that, not just for some aesthetic reasons.” Punch
