The Coalition of Muslim Ummah of Southern Kaduna has warned against attempts to divide the state along religious lines, insisting that such narratives are false and dangerous.
Addressing a press conference on Saturday in Kaduna, the coalition maintained that the crisis in Southern Kaduna is rooted in politics, not religion.
Reading the text of the briefing jointly signed by the chairman of the Southern Kaduna Muslim Development Association (SOKAMUDA), Alhaji Bala Adamu and the president of the Muslim Youth Foundation of Southern Kaduna (MYFOSKA), Dr Mohammed Kabir, the coalition emphasised that Muslims have coexisted peacefully with other communities for centuries, long before violence engulfed parts of the region.
According to the coalition, anyone attempting to divide Kaduna along religious lines is engaging in dangerous misrepresentation that is unacceptable.
They rejected narratives portraying Southern Kaduna as an exclusively Christian enclave, stressing that Muslims have always been integral to the area’s history, economy and politics.
The coalition argued that past crises were largely fueled by political manipulation rather than religious differences, accusing some elites of exploiting sectarian narratives to blackmail governments and monopolise opportunities.
It appealed to the media to avoid amplifying one-sided accounts of the Southern Kaduna conflict, urging journalists to “verify facts before publishing.”
They called on all communities to resist being used as pawns in sectarian politics, stressing that peace and development can only be achieved through cooperation.
“Our diversity should be a strength, not a weakness. Southern Kaduna will thrive when Christians and Muslims work together as brothers and sisters,” they said.
The coalition also advised Governor Uba Sani to be cautious of politicians who, despite not supporting him initially, are now seeking to hijack his administration for selfish purposes.
They further maintained that the relative peace being experienced in the state today is a product of purposeful governance, not chance.
“Governor Uba Sani has demonstrated uncommon commitment to carrying everyone along. The current peace is not accidental but the result of his inclusive policies,” they stated.
