Victims of the 2011 post-election violence in Kaduna state stormed the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) with complaints that the Federal Government has failed to honour its promise of paying compensation amounting to N12 billion.
The group operating under the aegis of Kaduna State Coalition of Victims of 2011 Post-Election Violence, also made a passionate appeal to the Vice -President, Arc. Namadi Sambo and other highly placed sons and daughters of Kaduna state who are appointees of the Federal Government to throw their weights behind and facilitate the quick disbursement of the balance before the election.
Briefing journalists in Abuja over the issue, the Coordinator of the group, comrade Sanusi Maikudi , said “We are making a passionate appeal to the President, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan (GCFR),to kindly release the balance of N12 billion, as the final compensation due for Kaduna victims, to enable us ameliorate our suffering and restore our human dignity”
The group which called for the implementation of the accepted recommendations of Federal Government White paper on the 2011 Post-election violence, particularly, those that would promote security of lives and property in Kaduna state, which had over the years suffered serial breaches of normalcy that lead to the loss of several lives from 1987 to date.
Sanusi said that the passionate call for the immediate response of the President Goodluck Jonathan administration to their plight was based on the fact that their situation appeared abandoned as many of their members have died while others are left to suffer undue distress.
His words: “permit me to use this medium once more, to passionately appeal to the President, Dr. Godluck Ebele Jonathan (GCFR) to kindly release the balance payment of N12 billion, as the final compensation due for Kaduna State Victims, to enable us ameliorate our sufferings and restore our human dignity.
“While we highly appreciate the concern, efforts and supports of all the good people of Kaduna State, we want to use this medium, to appeal to the prominent Sons and daughters of Kaduna State at Federal level, especially His Excellency, Arc. Mohammed Namadi Sambo(GCON), Our Distinguished Senators: Dr. Ahmed Mohammed Makarfi, Gen. Mohammad Sani Saleh (rtd) and Mrs. Esther Nenadi Usman, as well as the Hon. Minister of Environment Mrs. Laurentia Laraba Mallam, to kindly intervene on behalf of the suffering victims of Kaduna State.
“We also wish to appeal to His Excellency, Alh. (Dr.) Ramalan Yero (Dallatun Zazzau) and our revered Traditional and Religious leaders, to jointly help in securing the release of the balance of compensation for Kaduna State Victims, to enable us have the strength to participate in the forth-coming elections.
“We are also appealing for the implementation of the accepted recommendations of the Federal Government White Paper on the 2011 Post-Election Violence, particularly, those that would promote Security of lives and property in Kaduna State,which had over years suffered serial breaches of normalcy that lead to several lives from 1987 to date.
“We do hope that, the Federal Government, the personalities mentioned above and other men and women of Good-Will, will do their best, in ensuring the release of the funds, having waited for almost four (4) years.
“It is a universal practice that democratic governments are more responsive and responsible in addressing the plights of their citizens than other forms of governments. Thus, our expectation for empathy, rehabilitation and full and timely compensation,” he appealed.
The group also threatened that if the compensation is not paid before March 28, their members will not vote for any candidate in the forthcoming general elections.
