SOKAPU is not a tribal or religious organisation, says President
NAN-H-41
Dialogue
By Mohammad Tijjani
Kaduna, Feb. 9, 2017 (NAN) The President of Southern Kaduna Peoples’ Union (SOKAPU), Mr Solomon Musa, on Thursday said the union is not a religious or tribal organisation but a body pushing for the development of all communities in the area.
Musa made the declaration during a consultative meeting with Global Peace Foundation, an NGO, seeking for dialogue to end the crisis in the area.
“SOKAPU is not for the protection of Baju, Fulani, Atiyap, Ham, Hausa and any other tribe, but is for the protection of all people in southern Kaduna regardless of where you come from; but we will protect defend and be fair to everybody.
“We the people from southern Kaduna are inherently peace loving people,” he said.
The president said the union was ready to enter into dialogue with those identified to be involved in the crisis in southern Kaduna.
“We believe it is always good to sit down if you have a challenge,” he said, and urged the state government to be in the vanguard for genuine reconciliation.
Also speaking, the Country Director, Global Peace Foundation, Mr John Oko said so much has been lost to the crisis, as such it was necessary for all the major stakeholder to explore ways of attaining genuine peace.
He said that the motto of the union is “ One Family under God”, and its main target was to promote peace across the globe.
“That is why we engage all parties to see how we can resolve the crisis. Our neutral position on this crisis we hope, will lead to success that will yield result.”
The foundation’s Northern Region Co-coordinator, Rev Joseph Hayab said no killing and destruction is justifiable, and described the situation in southern Kaduna as “unfortunate”.
He said that it was time for the people to embrace peace based on their humanness and desire for development.
Malam Haliru Maraya, also the Northern Region Co-coordinator of the foundation, said the consultative meeting was to partner with SOKAPU in the search for lasting solutions to the crisis.
Maraya said peace is paramount to development, “so we must come and dialogue for permanent peace in the area.” (NAN)
TJ/MNA/MZA
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(Edited by Maureen Atuonwu/Maharazu Ahmed)