SOKAPU rejects Southern Kaduna festival over security concerns

From Femi Oyelola, Kaduna

Southern Kaduna Peoples United- Association (SOKAPU), formally known as Southern Kaduna People’s Union, has distanced itself from the planned 2026 Southern Kaduna Festival (SKFEST), declaring that the event was neither sanctioned nor endorsed by the organization.
The association raised alarm over what it described as alleged plans “to instigate violence and undermine security efforts” during the planned 2026 Southern Kaduna Festival (SKFEST) in Kafanchan.
The group, in a public disclaimer by its President, Tabara Samuel Kato, after an emergency meeting of its National Executive Council (NEC), alleged that intelligence available to it suggested that some proponents of the festival were orchestrating a deliberate campaign aimed at creating tension in the region and implicating the leadership of SOKAPU.
“Intelligence suggests that they are orchestrating a deliberate campaign associated with the President’s rejection of their execution of the SKFEST 2026, to instigate violence and undermine security efforts; to implicate the leadership of SOKAPU,” the statement said.
SOKAPU consequently called on security agencies to remain vigilant and take proactive measures to prevent any breakdown of law and order during the festival scheduled for May 28 to 30, 2026.
The organization also formally disassociated itself from the event, stating that it neither sanctioned nor endorsed the festival.
According to the statement signed by Kato, the event is being organized by the Southern Kaduna Leadership Council (SKLC), which it said comprises groups such as Southern Kaduna Autochthones Community Development Associations (SOKACDA), Southern Kaduna Community Development Associations Forum (CDAS Forum), SKFEST, and SKFEST Initiative.
The group described itself as the “only authentic and recognized socio-cultural umbrella organization” representing the diverse ethnic communities of Southern Kaduna.
SOKAPU further cautioned invited dignitaries, including President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, former President Olusegun Obasanjo, and FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, to note that SOKAPU did not sanction the festival.
It advised guests either to boycott the event or attend with the understanding that the organizers do not represent what it described as the mainstream leadership of Southern Kaduna.
The organization also warned that the organizers were not authorized to collect funds, sign agreements, or act on behalf of the Southern Kaduna people or SOKAPU.