With few days to the conduct of 2015 general elections in the country, the tension arising from fear of electoral violence is now forcing several non- indigenes in Kaduna to flee to their states of origin.

 The rich and powerful are also relocating their families abroad for safety. A visit at the Immigration Office in Kaduna showed high application by residents for international passport to travel outside the country as the conduct of the 2015 polls draw nearer.

  The reasons for the general apprehension, ostensibly cannot be divorced from the prelude to the polls as supporters of the two major parties in the State, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All

Progressive Congress (APC) engaged in tension-soaked campaigns which in most cases marred with violence. 

Already a major crisis occurred in Rigasa and it’s environs last Monday when the convoy of the Governor, Alhaji Mukhtar Ramalan Yero on their way for a campaign rally were attacked by thugs. 

Not fewer than seven people died, while several others sustained injuries and were hospitalised.

  However, the APC officials and campaign committees members of the

Party’s governorship candidate, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai denied responsibility for the attack, as they attributed it to the ruling

party’s antics. The incumbent APC Senator, representing Kaduna Central

Zone, retired Major General Mohammed Sani Saleh who spoke at a Press

Conference on the unfortunate violence, said, “ it is unfortunate that Yero supervised hoodlums and thugs on the rampage against people and properties”.

“It is bad enough that his entourage attacked and destroyed billboards of General Buhari and Mallam El-Rufai in Barkin Aruwa and Kabala West.

  It is worst that residents who challenged this act of wanton vandalisation were attacked and beaten up by thugs”.

But Governor Yero debunked the allegation of the opposition party, accusing APC supporters of being responsible for the attack. 

 Yero assured the people in the state not to entertain any fear promising that his government will ensure full security of the people, before and after the general elections.

Despite the assurances, non-indigenes in the state and elsewhere in the North are now fleeing the State en mass to their respective states of origin for fear of being caught up in the post and pre-election violence.

Some schools are in session with few students in attendance. Most parents had either relocated or travelled back to the South or stayed back with their children in their respective states hoping to come back to the state after the election.

  The economies of many of states in the North are being affected as non-indigenes are travelling out, while business activities are at its lowest ebb.

Investigation by The Guardian reveals that, some shops in Kaduna metropolis were locked, while there is a lull in business activities in major markets.

 Asked if the places they are running to are safer, some said if they will die, let it be amongst their people.

  In an interview with one of the Yoruba Leader in Kaduna state Alhaji

Tajudeen Ajibade, he said though he cannot speak for the whole of the

North since he is a resident of Kaduna, he however agreed that anyone leaving the state now would definitely be said to be leaving because of the election.

   He stressed that this is not unconnected with the tension which has enveloped the nation because of the forthcoming general

elections.

 According to him, people think that crises will erupt due to some of the inflammatory statements by some Nigerians which have resulted to a high degree of panic amongst the people. The Yoruba leader advised that people should learn to ignore inflammatory statements.

 He said: “If you have been living in the North for a long time and now you are running away. Why? I see no reason why anyone should be leaving. You should

stay where you registered and think seriously about the Nigerian Project. After 2015 February election will they still come back”? By then, their PVCs would have been useless, because they can only vote,

where they registered.’

 Alhaji Tajudeen urged Nigerians to remain where they are and work together for the progress and unity of the country. He pleaded with the people to eschew crisis and be law abiding.

 Besides, an Ibo leader, Chief Dominic Uzu said it has not come to their notice that the Igbos are leaving the state, saying that the government has assured them of security and protection.

Others who also spoke on the issue expressed much fear saying, “ abeg ooh, nothing wey anybody go tell me, I must go home with my family to come back three

weeks after the election when I see say nothing happened, but for now no way,

I must travel”.

 A PDP stalwart in Kaduna State and Legal Adviser to the Federal Airports Authority Nigeria (FAAN), Mr. Mark Jacob said; “ I am not very much aware of the mass movement, but I believe you are speaking with evidence and if such is happening, it will not be unconnected with the experience people had during the 2011 post-election violence where non indigenes were targeted.”

“We believe that such a thing should not happen again because if people are moving away from the North it should be of great concern to all politicians. Politicians must as a matter of urgency refrain from making inflammatory statements.