Southern Kaduna: Jibo, Peace forum preach unity, stability ahead of 2027 elections

The Kaduna Peace Forum and peace advocate, Friday Jibo, have called for greater unity, stability and constructive political engagement in Southern Kaduna, urging political actors, community leaders and residents to protect the region’s shared interests and avoid actions capable of deepening existing divisions.

The call followed separate engagements with the Senior Special Assistant on Public Affairs to the Kaduna State Governor, Hon. Victor Mathew Bobai, during which issues bordering on security, political tensions, community relations and development were discussed. Blueprint reports

The stakeholders stressed the need for sustained dialogue and cooperation among communities and political actors, particularly at a time when provocative statements and competing narratives on social media could further strain relationships within the region.

They maintained that political differences should not be allowed to undermine peaceful coexistence, development initiatives or the collective interests of the people of Southern Kaduna.

Forum raises concern over divisive narratives

Speaking on behalf of the Kaduna Peace Forum, its Coordinator, Rev. Sunday Haruna, and Secretary-General, Aminu Isah Kachia, expressed concern over what they described as provocative statements, personal attacks and negative narratives circulating on social media.

The Forum urged political actors and their supporters to exercise restraint in their public communications, stressing that disagreements are an essential part of democratic politics but should not degenerate into hostility or actions capable of threatening peace.

According to the Forum, political competition should be conducted within the bounds of peaceful democratic engagement, with individuals and groups focusing on issues that can improve the welfare and security of residents.

It further appealed to political leaders to place the broader interests of Southern Kaduna above personal and partisan considerations, arguing that the region could only achieve sustainable development through cooperation and responsible leadership.

The Forum also called on residents to be cautious about information shared on social media, particularly unverified claims capable of inflaming ethnic, religious or political sentiments.

Stakeholders urged to strengthen security cooperation

Security was also identified as a major area requiring greater collaboration among communities, government authorities, security agencies, traditional institutions and religious leaders.

The Forum said communities had an important role to play in complementing the efforts of security agencies by providing credible and timely information about suspicious activities and developments within their areas.

It urged residents to establish stronger channels of communication with relevant authorities while discouraging individuals from taking the law into their own hands.

The peace advocates maintained that effective security requires cooperation between government institutions and communities, particularly in areas where residents have direct knowledge of developments within their localities.

They also called for regular dialogue among political, traditional and religious leaders as a means of identifying emerging tensions before they escalate into major conflicts.

Jibo seeks security intervention in Karji–Maigero axis

Meanwhile, Jibo called for increased security and intelligence attention to the Karji–Maigero axis of Kaduna following his recent acquisition of an office along the route through Yakowa Road.

Jibo said the growing activity around the area made it necessary for security agencies to strengthen surveillance, intelligence gathering and other measures capable of protecting residents, businesses and visitors.

He appealed to relevant security authorities to pay closer attention to the area and ensure that the increasing economic and social activities along the axis are not undermined by insecurity.

According to him, adequate security is essential for attracting investment, encouraging businesses and creating an environment where residents can go about their daily activities without unnecessary fear.

He also urged residents of the area to cooperate with security agencies and report suspicious activities through appropriate channels.

Jibo urges Southern Kaduna to protect common interests

Beyond the immediate security concerns, Jibo urged residents of Southern Kaduna to recognise their shared interests and resist attempts to allow political differences to undermine the region’s development.

He said disagreements over political affiliations and personalities should not become a basis for permanent division among communities and individuals who share common cultural, economic and social interests.

Jibo encouraged political actors to engage one another constructively, saying public office and political participation should ultimately be directed towards improving the lives of citizens.

He also called on residents to recognise the contributions of Southern Kaduna indigenes serving at national and state levels, irrespective of their political affiliations.

Jibo cites Christopher Musa, Jerry Adams

Jibo specifically cited the Minister of Defence, General Christopher Gwabin Musa, as one of the prominent sons of the region whose position and responsibilities have national significance.

He urged residents to adopt a constructive approach towards people from the region serving in strategic positions, particularly where their responsibilities are connected to national security and development.

He said constructive engagement and support for initiatives that promote peace and security would be more beneficial to the region than divisive criticism.

Jibo also mentioned Comrade Jerry Adams as part of what he described as an emerging generation of young political actors whose participation in public affairs should contribute positively to the political development of the region.

He urged young people seeking political relevance to embrace issue-based politics and focus on policies and programmes capable of addressing the challenges confronting their communities.

December peace concert planned

As part of efforts to promote unity, Jibo also announced plans for a major peace musical concert in December.

According to him, the proposed event is intended to bring people from different political, religious, ethnic and social backgrounds together around a message of peace, unity and stability.

He described the planned concert as an opportunity to use entertainment and cultural expression to promote peaceful coexistence, particularly among young people.

Jibo said the event was being conceived as one of the largest peace concerts in Northern Nigeria, with an expected attendance of more than two million people.

He said the proposed gathering would provide an avenue for people from different backgrounds to interact, celebrate their common identity and reinforce the message that peaceful coexistence remains essential to the development of the region.

“We must give peace a chance. We must not allow division to come into Southern Kaduna. We have a responsibility to protect what God has given us and build on it for future generations,” he said.

Peaceful politics key to development

Jibo, who recently visited Kafanchan, also reiterated the importance of peaceful political participation and community cooperation during his engagement with residents.

He urged political leaders and their supporters to avoid rhetoric capable of creating unnecessary tension, particularly during periods of heightened political activity.

He said political differences were normal in a democratic society but should not prevent people from working together on issues that affect their communities.

According to him, the development of Southern Kaduna requires collective responsibility and cannot be achieved solely through government intervention.

He therefore encouraged community leaders, youth organisations, religious bodies, traditional institutions and civil society groups to maintain dialogue and work towards common development objectives.

Call for continued dialogue

The Kaduna Peace Forum and Jibo also urged communities to complement government and security efforts by providing credible information, cooperating with relevant authorities and sustaining dialogue across political, religious and community lines.

They stressed that peace should not only be pursued after conflict has occurred but should be deliberately built through regular communication, responsible leadership and early intervention whenever tensions emerge.

The stakeholders further encouraged residents to resist the spread of unverified information and inflammatory content, particularly on social media, where misleading narratives can spread rapidly and heighten tensions.

They called on political actors to place the welfare of residents above partisan interests and to use their influence to promote reconciliation rather than division.

They also encouraged traditional and religious leaders to continue using their positions to foster dialogue among communities and provide platforms for resolving disagreements peacefully.

The Forum and Jibo urged residents to remain committed to peaceful coexistence and to support initiatives that promote security, economic activity and social development.

They also encouraged continued prayers for wisdom for leaders, protection of communities and lasting stability across Kaduna State, stressing that a peaceful environment remained fundamental to the region’s development and the wellbeing of future generations.