SOKAPU condemns, disassociates itself from planned national protest

By Abdullahi Alhassan, Kaduna

The Southern Kaduna People’s Union, (SOKAPU) has condemned and disassociated itself from the planned national protest on August 1, while entirely condemning the motive behind it.

The Union, disassociated itself while addressing a press conference at the Nigerian Union of Journalist (NUJ) Secretariat in Kaduna.

The President of the union, Mr Tabara Kato, said the union reasoned that a well intentioned protest cannot originate from people who just previously claimed that “Religion, ethnicity and tribe forbid protests against leaders”.

Kato equally reasoned that, “only fools embark on a journey which destination they cannot predict.”It is more reasonable and meaningful to remain where we are and manage what we know in order to get what we need. For now, at least there is respite on insecurity with hope for improvement,”he said.

According to him, the government at both federal and state levels are operating a policy of inclusiveness which

marks a clear departure from the immediate past governments.

Kato said there is hope for more in

the regard if only Nigerians are patient and give the present Federal and States’ Governments time.He lamented that the state of the economy is not pleasant, adding that the decay did not start from the present government.

“Since every government wants to be successful, the federal government under President Tinubu and Kaduna state under Uba Sani are no exception. They need time with our support to succeed in the office.

“For now, let it be known that SOKAPU is standing with the government at both levels in contrast to participating in any protest in Kaduna State, Nigeria and in the diaspora.

In a related development,the concerned Civil Society Organizations in kaduna state,under the aegis of Coalition of Corporative Society, has also withdrawn from the national planned.

Speaking at a Press conference in Arewa House Kaduna Chairman of the group Comrade Kamaludeen Kabir said,”we want to use this medium to express our withdrawal from the planned Nationwide protest of 1st to 10th August,2024.

Comrade Kamaludeen maintained that “not because we are happy with the Government policies but due to the fact that the mission behind the said protest is ambiguous and the leadership of the protest refused to make it clear.

“We wish to state it clear to the world that, we shall plan a better protest with a clear mission at a better time provided the government did not do the needful.

“We equally wish to use this medium to appeal to the president to listen to the plight of the nation and handle the issues of insecurity, hardship and fuel price hike with seriousness.

He further explained that “Other issues include, hike in electricity tariff, Tertiary institutions tuition fees hike as well as issues the hike in interest rates of commercial banks.