Southern Kaduna Elders Forum upholds status quo on SOKAPU youth wing leadership dispute

From: Femi Oyelola, Kaduna

The Southern Kaduna Elders Consultative Forum (SKECF) has ruled in favor of Barr—Jerry M. Mendos as the legitimate National Youth Coordinator of the Southern Kaduna Peoples Union (SOKAPU).
This was contained in a statement signed by Arch. Nuhu Ja’afaru and Elder Habila Dogo Kyong, Chairman and Secretary of the Forum, respectively.
The decision was made after a thorough examination of the “status quo ante bellum” of the SOKAPU Youth Wing, which was held on Tuesday, September 9, 2025, at Chief P. N. Buba’s residence in Barnawa, Kaduna.
The dispute arose from an election held on February 10, 2024, in which Barr. Mendos emerged as the National Youth Coordinator.
However, SOKAPU President Samuel Tabara allegedly interfered with the process, appointing Simon Solomon as the Youth Coordinator, despite Barr—Mendos’s victory.
The SKECF was tasked with resolving the issue and determining the legitimate leadership of the SOKAPU Youth Wing.
The committee, led by Arch. Nuhu Ja’afaru, found that the election and inauguration of Barr. Mendos and his executives were flawless and in accordance with the SOKAPU Youth Wing Constitution. The committee also noted that President Tabara had endorsed the election and sworn in Barr. Mendos as the National Youth Coordinator.
The SKECF concluded that the appointment of Simon Solomon as the Youth Coordinator was illegal, unconstitutional, and nullified.
The committee ruled that Barr. Mendos is the legitimate National Youth Coordinator and should be recognized as such. The committee also directed that Simon Solomon should cease to address himself as the SOKAPU Youth Coordinator and hand over to the SOKAPU Board of Trustees (BOT) all assets, who will in turn hand over to Barr. Mendos.
The period of interference by President Tabara from February 3, 2025, will be added to Barr. Mendos’s tenure is expected to last for four years. The committee’s decision was signed by Arch. Nuhu Ja’afaru (Chairman) and Elder Habila Dogo Kyong (Secretary).