Editor's note: The former minister of aviation Femi Fani-Kayode in this fresh piece has said that some cabals are currently controlling governance and affairs in Kaduna state.
Fani-Kayode listed reasons why the people of Southern Kaduna must not stay quiet over the incessant killings in the area.
The former minister has said that some cabals are currently running the affairs in Kaduna state
In reaction to the suggestion that the people of Southern Kaduna should defend themselves from mass murder and genocide given the fact that their state government has refused to protect them a political advisor to Governor Nasir El Rufai wrote the following in an essay titled "Kaduna Shall Be Great Again" and in some publications"Understanding The Southern Kaduna Crises" . He wrote:
''The greatest challenge to peace in Kaduna State now is the antics of political jobbers and opportunists who have gone as low as spreading hate speeches; telling communities in Kaduna State to “defend themselves.”
This, is of course is an unmistakable call on the people of Kaduna State to procure arms and ammunition and start killing themselves.
This is not just very low but extremely dangerous. This call on the citizenry to take the laws into their own hands totally undermines all on-going efforts to achieve lasting peace in Kaduna State.''
Instead of showing remorse for their woeful failures and begging for forgiveness for the sea of innocent blood that has been shed under their watch, the government of Kaduna State is lashing out at all those that have called them out and that are deeply concerned about the carnage that has taken place in Southern Kaduna.
The advisor pours scorn on the suggestion that a man should protect his family, loved ones and home from cold-blooded murderers who are attempting to maim and kill them.
He is suggesting that the people of Southern Kaduna should keep quiet, passively fold their arms and happily welcome, with a warm smile, those that have come to abuse their wives, slaughter their children, burn their homes, wipe out their faith and take their land. Is that how to make Kaduna great again?
Is that how to get back to the glorious days of Abubakar 'Dangiwa' Umar, Ahmed Makarfi and Patrick Yakowa when Kaduna had real governors who were balanced, mature, sensitive, caring, gentle, cosmopolitan, inclusive and fair to all regardless of faith, tribe or ethnic nationality?
Is that how to get back to the peaceful days of Kaduna when those of us that play polo used to look forward to going there to play at the annual Kaduna Polo tournament? Is that how to get back to the days when Kaduna was one of the best places to visit in the country?
I doubt it very much. The truth is that nothing could be more insensitive, irresponsible, callous and utterly absurd than the Special Advisor's suggestion.
In any case one wonders just who these "political jobbers and opportunists" are and precisely what these "ongoing efforts to achieve lasting peace in Kaduna" are given the fact that the Kaduna state government does not appear to give a hoot about the fact that thousands of innocent and defenceless people, including women and children, have been butchered during their watch and right under their noses.
The government of Kaduna State is evidently more interested in insulting, undermining, discrediting and threatening with arrest its critics and those that have expressed outrage about what the people of Southern Kaduna are being subjected to than in protecting and saving innocent lives.
Yet since no names were mentioned, for now I will limit myself to responding to Mr. Special Advisor only with the words of Mr. George Makeris of the One Nigeria group who hails from Southern Kaduna himself and whose views reflects the minds and thoughts of many concerned citizens not just in Kaduna but throughout the country. In a direct response to the Special Advisor he wrote the following:
"Picking of arms for self-defence is obviously the last bastion of hope for Southern Kaduna and not its first option since the commencement of these mindless massacres.
This last resort became necessary when it becomes glaring that government is not interested in securing and protecting the lives of the people of Southern Kaduna people even though this is against its oath of office.
If government had lived up to it constitutional responsibility and demonstrated unparalleled commitment in curbing the menace, citizens have no business bearing arms.
It is the failure of government that makes taking up arms necessary. Even America had to allow its citizens to bear arms when it couldn't protect them from constant attacks. It is only natural to arm your citizens or allow your citizens to arm themselves, when you cannot guarantee their safety.
It is such a shame that the El-Rufai Government is not worried about its inability to secure the lives and properties of the Southern Kaduna people. It is not worried that despite a twenty four hour curfew, a massacre took place in Goska.
It is not worried that the Southern Kaduna people lack arms amidst relentless hostilities. It is not worried that it cannot arrest and prosecute the murderers but it is worried that the victims of constant attacks are now rising to arm themselves for self-defence as enshrined in the constitution.
Does this not tell any rational mind that the government is helping the mindless murderers and condoning the massacres? How can people who have never spoken against the massacres since it began suddenly start talking against carrying of arms for self-defence?
This tells us the type of criminals we have in power in Kaduna state and it explains the situation better to the international community.
I don't see how those criminals can make Kaduna great and I believe it is just a matter of time before they are picked by the Interpol for crimes against humanity".
Mr. Makeris has hit the nail on the head. I could not have put it better myself.
Permit me to conclude this contribution with a few words about someone that I have come to respect and admire.
I had the distinct honor and privilege of receiving Rev. Musa Asake, the Secretary General of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), in my home a few days before Christmas.
He is a courageous and truly wonderful man and I was struck by his extraordinary humility. We discussed the situation in the country and particularly the marginalization, persecution, slaughter and genocide that Christians are being subjected to in our nation today with particular reference to Kaduna state and the north.
Two days later Southern Kaduna, which is where he comes from, was attacked by the Fulani militants and herdsmen and approximately 800 innocent people were butchered.
Fani-Kayode listed reasons why the people of Southern Kaduna must not stay quiet over the incessant killings in the area.
The former minister has said that some cabals are currently running the affairs in Kaduna state
In reaction to the suggestion that the people of Southern Kaduna should defend themselves from mass murder and genocide given the fact that their state government has refused to protect them a political advisor to Governor Nasir El Rufai wrote the following in an essay titled "Kaduna Shall Be Great Again" and in some publications"Understanding The Southern Kaduna Crises" . He wrote:
''The greatest challenge to peace in Kaduna State now is the antics of political jobbers and opportunists who have gone as low as spreading hate speeches; telling communities in Kaduna State to “defend themselves.”
This, is of course is an unmistakable call on the people of Kaduna State to procure arms and ammunition and start killing themselves.
This is not just very low but extremely dangerous. This call on the citizenry to take the laws into their own hands totally undermines all on-going efforts to achieve lasting peace in Kaduna State.''
Instead of showing remorse for their woeful failures and begging for forgiveness for the sea of innocent blood that has been shed under their watch, the government of Kaduna State is lashing out at all those that have called them out and that are deeply concerned about the carnage that has taken place in Southern Kaduna.
The advisor pours scorn on the suggestion that a man should protect his family, loved ones and home from cold-blooded murderers who are attempting to maim and kill them.
He is suggesting that the people of Southern Kaduna should keep quiet, passively fold their arms and happily welcome, with a warm smile, those that have come to abuse their wives, slaughter their children, burn their homes, wipe out their faith and take their land. Is that how to make Kaduna great again?
Is that how to get back to the glorious days of Abubakar 'Dangiwa' Umar, Ahmed Makarfi and Patrick Yakowa when Kaduna had real governors who were balanced, mature, sensitive, caring, gentle, cosmopolitan, inclusive and fair to all regardless of faith, tribe or ethnic nationality?
Is that how to get back to the peaceful days of Kaduna when those of us that play polo used to look forward to going there to play at the annual Kaduna Polo tournament? Is that how to get back to the days when Kaduna was one of the best places to visit in the country?
I doubt it very much. The truth is that nothing could be more insensitive, irresponsible, callous and utterly absurd than the Special Advisor's suggestion.
In any case one wonders just who these "political jobbers and opportunists" are and precisely what these "ongoing efforts to achieve lasting peace in Kaduna" are given the fact that the Kaduna state government does not appear to give a hoot about the fact that thousands of innocent and defenceless people, including women and children, have been butchered during their watch and right under their noses.
The government of Kaduna State is evidently more interested in insulting, undermining, discrediting and threatening with arrest its critics and those that have expressed outrage about what the people of Southern Kaduna are being subjected to than in protecting and saving innocent lives.
Yet since no names were mentioned, for now I will limit myself to responding to Mr. Special Advisor only with the words of Mr. George Makeris of the One Nigeria group who hails from Southern Kaduna himself and whose views reflects the minds and thoughts of many concerned citizens not just in Kaduna but throughout the country. In a direct response to the Special Advisor he wrote the following:
"Picking of arms for self-defence is obviously the last bastion of hope for Southern Kaduna and not its first option since the commencement of these mindless massacres.
This last resort became necessary when it becomes glaring that government is not interested in securing and protecting the lives of the people of Southern Kaduna people even though this is against its oath of office.
If government had lived up to it constitutional responsibility and demonstrated unparalleled commitment in curbing the menace, citizens have no business bearing arms.
It is the failure of government that makes taking up arms necessary. Even America had to allow its citizens to bear arms when it couldn't protect them from constant attacks. It is only natural to arm your citizens or allow your citizens to arm themselves, when you cannot guarantee their safety.
It is such a shame that the El-Rufai Government is not worried about its inability to secure the lives and properties of the Southern Kaduna people. It is not worried that despite a twenty four hour curfew, a massacre took place in Goska.
It is not worried that the Southern Kaduna people lack arms amidst relentless hostilities. It is not worried that it cannot arrest and prosecute the murderers but it is worried that the victims of constant attacks are now rising to arm themselves for self-defence as enshrined in the constitution.
Does this not tell any rational mind that the government is helping the mindless murderers and condoning the massacres? How can people who have never spoken against the massacres since it began suddenly start talking against carrying of arms for self-defence?
This tells us the type of criminals we have in power in Kaduna state and it explains the situation better to the international community.
I don't see how those criminals can make Kaduna great and I believe it is just a matter of time before they are picked by the Interpol for crimes against humanity".
Mr. Makeris has hit the nail on the head. I could not have put it better myself.
Permit me to conclude this contribution with a few words about someone that I have come to respect and admire.
I had the distinct honor and privilege of receiving Rev. Musa Asake, the Secretary General of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), in my home a few days before Christmas.
He is a courageous and truly wonderful man and I was struck by his extraordinary humility. We discussed the situation in the country and particularly the marginalization, persecution, slaughter and genocide that Christians are being subjected to in our nation today with particular reference to Kaduna state and the north.
Two days later Southern Kaduna, which is where he comes from, was attacked by the Fulani militants and herdsmen and approximately 800 innocent people were butchered.
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