Ahead of the local government election in Kaduna state, the Zango-Kataf Youths Vanguard for Peace and Democracy, has warned that any attempt to distort the existing peace between the ethnic indigenous tribes in the Zango-Kataf local government area would be vehemently resisted.
Addressing a press conference in Kaduna on Wednesday, Convener of the group, Isaac Tanko, said they were a group of past and present youth leaders of Atyap, Bajju, Aghan and Ikulu, Hausa/Fulani, including CAN and JNI, operating under the aegis of Vanguard for Peace and Democracy with core mission of promotion of peace and the practice of true democracy in Southern Kaduna.
According to Tanko, following the recent PDP local government primary elections that returned Hon. Francis Sani Zimbo, the incumbent council chairman of Zango-Kataf local government area, as its party’s flag bearer, which has sparked different reactions from different quarters, some sections felt short-changed.
He said they were obligated as stakeholders to respond due to the recurrence of “an abhorrent line of communication by mischief makers whipping up sentiment under various guises, which have littered the media.”
He alleged that “the unintelligent approach by these stakeholders has been to push ethnic divisive words and attribute the same to the Senator of Kaduna-South Senatorial District. They aim to incite certain ethnic groups against the Senator. We urge our people to resist these individuals’ attempts to cause chaos in the Zangon Kataf local government area.
“Some of these divisive statements are not only condemnable but also an ignominy of dragging our local government and the Southern Kaduna region back to the conquered era of ethnic chauvinism. Meddling into the politics of Zango-Kataf local government area is the handiwork of some unscrupulous politicians who do not have the interest of our people at heart.
“Again, attacks on Senator Sunday Marshall Katung are an act of sabotage, and we are calling on those behind the mask and others who have decided to continue on the path of coming to public glare over frivolous issues to stop forthwith, especially, when they do not have the moral compass to do so.
“Any attempt to distort the existing peace between the ethnic indigenous tribes in the Zango-Kataf local government area will be vehemently resisted.
“Zango-Kataf local government Youth Vanguard for Peace and Reconciliation wishes to draw the attention of the general public to the antics of mischief makers and ethnic bigots to stoke the flames of ethnic resentment, division, and agents of hate are bent on destroying the existing unity and peace which is being enjoyed by our local government under the administration of Governor Uba Sani”.
