“Because We Didn’t Vote For El-Rufai, He Ignores Attacks On Our Lives” – Southern Kaduna Residents Lament

Residents of Southern Kaduna have accused the state governor, Malam Nasir El-Rufai of marginalisation. They also called for the resignation of the Deputy Governor, Mr. Barnabas Bala Bantex.

Some youths and civil rights groups from Southern Kaduna under the aegis of Coalition of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) and Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) while addressing a press conference alleged that because the people of the area refused to vote for El-Rufai during the governorship election in the state, he has decided to pay them back by abandoning them.

They said all appointments under El-Rufai’s government was in favour of people from the northern of the state.

Speaking with journalists on behalf of the coalition, Mr. James Kanyip, said the prevailing situation in Southern Kaduna led the coalition to examine the nagging issues in El-Rufai’s administration in the state.

According to him, they are aggrieved that the governor neglected Southern Kaduna because, “most parts of the area did not vote for him due to our religious and ethnic background.”

Kanyip further explained that while the insecurity challenges in Birnin Gwari area of northern part of the state had since been tackled on assumption of office by the governor, many people were still being killed in the Southern part with little or no attention from the governor.

Also on Wednesday during the protest, a letter was delivered to the Deputy Governor, Mr. Bantex to resign his position from El-Rufai’s administration.

Signed by one of the prominent community leader in Kachia, Dr. John Danfulani, the letter to Bantex reads: “When you were declared winners of 11th April poll on 12th April 2015, I did not board the ship of APC and change foot soldiers that officially or otherwise sent congratulatory messages. I even refused to come and pay the usual homage that politicians do after victory or defeat.

“I do not believe in that long tradition because, to me, the reverse should be the case. After walking the extra mile, put professional careers online, and took physical risk for the change that you and many are direct beneficiaries of today, I expected a thank you letter, instead, from you. It is surely not possible to get the thank you messages or visits to everybody, but sector commanders that led the struggle from all angle deserved a separate message of appreciation, other than the state broadcast by your leader. I will continue to think and act outside cliches and far off the box.

“Is it the same Bantex that cried while talking about our people’s backwardness on the last day of their zonal rally in Kafanchan? Where went the spirit of Southern Kaduna that was seen in Bantex as a political starter? Bantex has lost his voice on issues affecting Southern Kaduna from 29th May 2015 to date.

“I hereby counsel that you resign (right now) if events are beyond your control. There is no need hanging-on while your reputation erodes.”