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Members of the Southern Kaduna Peoples Union (SOKAPU) have dissociated themselves from the newly-formed group, Southern Kaduna Leadership Council (SKLC).

Specifically, the denial by SOKAPU of the newly-formed SKLC as the apex body of the people of Southern Kaduna apparently indicated a crack in Southern Kaduna leadership.

In a statement yesterday by its spokesman, Luka Binniyat, the Southern Kaduna body, SOKAPU, said: “After being inundated with concerns from members of the body home and abroad on relationship between SOKAPU and the newly-formed SKLC since September this year, the Central Executive Committee (CEC) of SOKAPU wishes to make these clarifications to set the records straight.

“SOKAPU remains the apex and independent socio-cultural umbrella body of the Southern Kaduna people.
“We have not entered into any relationship with the SKLC, though it has made overture to have us become its member.
“SOKAPU’s position is that the SKLC has to come under the leadership of SOKAPU since it is the only umbrella body of the

Southern Kaduna people where representation at the union is through a democratically-elected process with all the appending arms of the union participating.
“We have, however, concluded that if SOKAPU shall become a member of SKLC, it has to have the approval of the congress of SOKAPU because it is a constitutional matter. Therefore, the statement issued by SKLC on September 15, 2022 in its debut, ought not to have included SOKAPU as a member of the Council.”

“No Southern Kaduna group can subsume SOKAPU unless our constitution is altered. The above was addressed properly at a meeting the CEC of SOKAPU had with representatives of the SKLC on November 30, 2022, at SOKAPU national secretariat in Kaduna where SKLC explained how SOKAPU was included in the content of the said statement.”
“It is, however, important to note that SOKAPU has immense respect for the leadership of the SKLC, who are accomplished and distinguished southern Kaduna persons of high integrity that have committed much in the service of their motherland.

“SOKAPU shall support any initiative, programme/project by the SKLC as long as it serves the best interest of Southern Kaduna. This clarification has become necessary to address any misconception that our members home and abroad may have about our relationship with SKCL. It also very pertinent to say that SOKAPU is not in anyway against the birth of SKLC.

In fact, we applaud the visionary hindsight of the founders of the SKLC and as the elected voice of the Southern Kaduna people, we are looking forward to having a beneficial engagement with the SKLC in the overall interest of Southern Kaduna,” Binniyat added.