Southern Kaduna Peoples Union (SOKAPU) Youth Wing and the Network for the Rights of Indigenous and Marginalised People have protested against the creation of four emirates in their area, calling on the Federal Government to call Governor Nasir El-Rufai to order.

Led by the leader of the youth wing, Nasiru Jagaba, and the network’s president, Ayuba Azaman, the protesters rejected the title of ‘emir’ and the alleged foisting of an emirate system on Kauru, Kagarko, Kajuru and Lere chiefdoms.

They said: “We are calling on all well-meaning individuals, corporate groups, other state governments, the Federal Government and the international community to call Governor El-Rufai to order.

He should not be allowed to sow seeds of conflicts that would outlive his government.

“We call on the affected local government areas (LGAs) to remain peaceful and law-abiding, but should never recognise the new emirs and emirates.

“Unless a referendum on the issue is conducted, the new creation by the governor is not binding on our people.”

The groups said they embarked on the protest to inform the world about the “unending concoction of sinister policies, actions and utterances of Governor El-Rufai towards the people of Southern Kaduna and by extension, the entire state.

The state government had earlier conceded to the request of some traditional rulers of Hausa/Fulani communities asking to be addressed as emirs instead of chiefs.

However, a statement by the Commissioner of Local Government Affairs, Professor Kabiru Mato, said the monarchs of Kagarko, Kajuru, Kauru and Lere chiefdoms requested for the change of nomenclature.

According to the statement, the communities are spread across four council areas, all with Muslim ruling houses.

“When chiefdoms were being created in 2000 and 2001, they were considered to be below the status of emirs.

But they aspired to be emirs, made the request, and got it,” Mato stated. (The Guardian)