Kaduna – The youth wing of the Southern Kaduna People’s Union (SOKAPU) has condemned former Kaduna State governor, Mallam Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai, over comments he allegedly made against the people of Southern Kaduna during a recent television interview.
In a statement signed by its National Coordinator, Comrade Solomon Simon, the group described the remarks as “disparaging, misleading and capable of painting an entire people in bad light.”
According to the statement, El-Rufai was quoted as making several negative assertions about the Southern Kaduna people, including claims about their population size, role in civil service, political leanings, and behaviour during his administration.
SOKAPU youths said such comments amounted to an attempt to “demean a people who have contributed immensely to the peace, unity and progress of Kaduna State and Nigeria.”
The group linked El-Rufai’s alleged hostility to Southern Kaduna to past petitions that challenged his ministerial nomination before the National Assembly. It also recalled a leaked video in which the former governor was said to have boasted about his role in the emergence of a Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket.
The statement stressed that Southern Kaduna has continued to benefit from developmental projects under the Tinubu administration, citing the University of Applied Sciences and a Federal Medical Centre, among others.
“People of Southern Kaduna are known for their resilience, hospitality and commitment to nation-building. No amount of reckless speech can erase our history of sacrifice, patriotism and development,” the group stated.
SOKAPU youths urged El-Rufai to withdraw his alleged offensive remarks and tender an apology, while calling on leaders across Nigeria to guard their utterances and promote unity.
They reiterated their resolve to remain focused on peace-building and contributing positively to national development.
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