(Kaduna, Nigeria) – A formidable coalition of socio-cultural and professional organisations from Southern Kaduna has issued a stern rebuke, formally distancing the region from calls for the Defence Minister, General Christopher Gwabin Musa, to be considered as a running mate to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the 2027 elections.
The coalition’s decisive statement, delivered at a press conference in Kaduna on Monday, follows controversial remarks made by Engr. Samuel Tabara Kato, President of the Southern Kaduna United People’s Association (SOKAPUA). Kato had publicly praised President Tinubu and suggested regional support for General Musa’s potential vice-presidential candidacy.
Representatives from key Southern Kaduna bodies, including the Southern Kaduna Community Development Associations, the Southern Kaduna Patriots for Good Governance, the Southern Kaduna Professionals Forum (SKPF), and the Forum of SOKAPU Youths, were unified in their declaration. They stressed that Kato’s commentary was a personal opinion, articulated without the broad consultation of the zone’s stakeholders and therefore incapable of representing a collective position.
“The statement by Mr. Tabara does not reflect the position of the good people of Southern Kaduna,” said Dr. Simon Majimre, representing the community development associations. “Such a significant political declaration requires extensive consultation with traditional rulers, religious leaders, community elders, and the various groups that represent our people’s will. That consultation did not occur.”
A Question of Timing and Priority
The coalition underscored that the timing of the vice-presidential suggestion was not merely inappropriate but profoundly insensitive. The region remains in a state of acute trauma and crisis following the devastating mass abduction of over 170 individuals from the Kurmin Wali community.
“Our people are grieving. Families are in anguish, and communities are living in fear,” stated Edward John Auta, Chairman of the Southern Kaduna Patriots for Good Governance. “For any responsible leader, the singular focus at this moment should be on solidarity, support for rescue efforts, and alleviating this suffering. To pivot to 2027 political calculations is a distraction of the highest order and an affront to those still in captivity.”
This emphasis on prevailing security concerns forms the cornerstone of the coalition’s argument. While expressing respect for General Musa’s professional acumen, the groups insisted that his current mandate as Defence Minister is all-consuming and critically urgent.
“General Christopher Musa is an astute and credible Army General. His immediate and paramount responsibility, which we fully support him in, is the security of our nation,” the coalition’s joint statement read. “He must be allowed to focus on working alongside His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and Vice President Kashim Shettima, to deliver on this vital mandate. Introducing political speculation into this equation is unhelpful and potentially destabilising.”
Commendation for Action Over Politics
In a deliberate contrast to the political narrative, the coalition extended explicit commendation to Kaduna State Governor, Senator Uba Sani, for his tangible, on-the-ground response to the Kurmin Wali tragedy. They highlighted his administration’s swift deployment of additional security personnel and the rapid mobilisation of workers and equipment to construct a vital access road to the affected community.
“These practical steps made a real difference, improving operational access for security agencies and allowing the traumatised community to find a semblance of normalcy, resuming Sunday worship within a week,” the coalition noted. This approval signals a clear regional preference for executive actions that address immediate security and humanitarian needs over premature political campaigning.
Unity Behind Existing Leadership and National Stability
The coalition’s statement concluded with a powerful affirmation of support for the current administration at both federal and state levels, explicitly rejecting any narrative of division.
“Southern Kaduna is united in supporting President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, and Governor Uba Sani against the unwarranted statement made by Mr. Tabara,” the representatives asserted. “Furthermore, we stand firmly behind the Minister of Defence to deliver on his mandate of fighting insecurity as entrusted to him by the President and the Nigerian people.”
This final point broadened into a national appeal. The coalition called on the Nigerian public and media to avoid amplifying divisive narratives that could distract key officials from their duties or destabilise the polity during a period of profound security challenges.
Analysis: A Region Asserting Its Political Voice
Political analysts view this robust and coordinated response as a significant moment for Southern Kaduna. It demonstrates a maturing political consciousness where influential blocs are actively policing narratives emanating from the region, ensuring they align with broader community priorities—currently dominated by security and stability.
“This is about agency and correct prioritisation,” commented political analyst [Insert Analyst Name, if desired]. “The coalition is sending a dual message: first, that the region’s political stance cannot be declared by a single individual without consultation; and second, that its primary demand from leadership at this time is security, not political patronage. It is a deliberate, strategic intervention to keep the focus on the region’s most pressing existential threat.”
The incident also highlights the delicate balance for appointed officials like General Musa, who must navigate national roles while being claimed as regional assets. The coalition’s stance effectively shields the Defence Minister from local political pressures, allowing his work to be judged on national security outcomes rather than partisan allegiance.
As the 2027 election cycle gradually approaches, this event underscores that in regions beset by insecurity, political discourse remains secondary to the fundamental requirements of safety and rescue. The Southern Kaduna coalition has drawn a clear line: the conversation must first be about bringing back the Kurmin Wali captives and securing vulnerable communities, long before it turns to ticket-balancing and electoral strategy.
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