Why we won’t join protest against hardship — SOKAPU

Southern Kaduna people, under the umbrella of Southern Kaduna Peoples’ Union (SOKAPU), have dissociated themselves from the planned protest against economic hardship, as they condemned the motive behind the demonstration.

The President of SOKAPU, Kato Tabara, said in a statement on Friday that the “Union reasons that a well-intentioned protest cannot originate from people who just previously claimed that ‘religion, ethnicity, and tribe forbid protests against leaders.'”

Giving a reason for condemning the planned protest, Tabara said, “Only fools embark on a journey whose destination they cannot predict; and concludes that it is more reasonable and meaningful to remain where we are and manage what we know in order to get what we need.”

He explained that “for now, at least there is respite on insecurity with hope for improvements,” pointing out that “the governments at both federal and state levels are operating a policy of inclusiveness which marks a clear departure from the immediate past governments in Kaduna State under Mallam Nasir El Rufai and Nigeria under former President Muhammadu Buhari.”

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He added, “There is hope for more in this regard if only we will be patient and give the present Federal and States’ Governments time to consolidate on their mandates.

“The state of the economy is surely not pleasant but the decay did not start with this government. Since every government wants to be successful, the Federal Government under His Excellency, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Kaduna State Government, under His Excellency, Distinguished Senator Uba Sani, are no exception.

“They need time with our support to succeed in office. For now, let it be known that SOKAPU is standing with the government at both levels in contrast to participating in any protest in Kaduna State, Nigeria, and in the diaspora.”