BY JULIET EKWENUGO
Kaduna
Community Development Associations (CDAs) across Southern Kaduna have declared support for the leadership of the Southern Kaduna Annual Festival (SKFEST), while dissociating themselves from the Southern Kaduna People’s United Association (SOKAPUA).
The position was made known during a meeting held on May 17, 2026, at Gwari Avenue, Barnawa, Kaduna, where representatives of over 50 Southern Kaduna socio-cultural groups gathered to deliberate on issues affecting the region.
In a communiqué signed by the Chairman of the Southern Kaduna Community Development Associations Forum, Dr Samuel Achie, the groups reaffirmed confidence in the leadership of SKFEST under Rear Admiral Ferguson Bobai (retd), describing the initiative as a platform for promoting unity, peace and development in Southern Kaduna.
The Forum also expressed support for the leadership of the Southern Kaduna People’s Union (SOKAPU) led by Bello Bissalla, urging the leadership to work closely with the Board of Trustees chaired by Elder S. Bangoji to move the organisation forward.
The CDAs, however, distanced themselves from SOKAPUA led by Engr Samuel Kato Tabara, accusing him of making allegations against several organs and leaders within the organisation, including members of the caretaker committee, youth wing and Board of Trustees.
The Forum further alleged that Tabara unilaterally registered SOKAPUA and altered the original SOKAPU logo without consultations, saying the actions deepened divisions within Southern Kaduna.
The groups also accused Tabara and his associates of disregarding peace initiatives championed by religious leaders, traditional rulers and elders in the region.
Among those mentioned were the Southern Kaduna Christian Leaders Association led by Apostle Emmanuel Kure, the Southern Kaduna Traditional Council under the Chief of Kagoro, and the Southern Kaduna Elders Consultative Forum headed by Major General Zamani Lekwot (rtd).
According to the communiqué, resolutions reached during reconciliation meetings included a return to status quo, restoration of the original SOKAPU logo, deregistration of SOKAPUA, withdrawal of court cases and apologies to the SOKAPU Board of Trustees.
The Forum alleged that while other groups complied with the resolutions, Tabara failed to honour the agreements.
Speaking on the forthcoming 2026 Southern Kaduna Annual Festival, the CDAs dismissed concerns reportedly raised over the event, insisting that SKFEST is an independent entity registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission and not an organ of either SOKAPU or SOKAPUA.
The Forum added that the festival is expected to attract prominent personalities, including Vice President Kashim Shettima and former President Olusegun Obasanjo.
The groups further called on political leaders, traditional rulers, clerics, youths, women groups and other stakeholders to unite for the peace, stability and development of Southern Kaduna.
