BREAKING: Governor El-Rufai Bans Popular Atyap Community Group on Eve of Handover

Governor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State has signed an order to proscribe the Atyap Community Development Association (ACDA), a group that represents the Atyap people in Zango Kataf local government area.

The order was issued on Sunday, May 28, 2023, less than a day before El-Rufai’s tenure ends.

According to a statement by Muyiwa Adekeye, Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Communication, the ACDA has been declared an unlawful society that poses a threat to the peace and stability of the state.

The statement alleged that the ACDA has been covertly involved in acts that could endanger the harmony and good governance of Kaduna State.

The order was based on Section 60 of the Kaduna State Penal Code Law No. 5 of 2017 and Section 5 (2) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. It took effect on May 24, 2023.

The statement also noted that while Sections 38 and 40 of the Constitution guarantee the right to freedom of thought, conscience, religion, association and peaceful assembly to all citizens, Section 45 (1) empowers the Governor to take measures and actions that are necessary for the protection of public safety, order, morality, health, or the rights and freedom of all persons in Kaduna State.

The Atyap community has been a victim of recurrent attacks by armed herdsmen in the past five years.

The Atyap Community Development Association has reported that over 500 indigenes have been killed and about 20 communities have been displaced by the violence. The community has also accused the military personnel deployed to the area of bias and incompetence.

The proscription of the ACDA is seen as a controversial move by El-Rufai, who will hand over to Senator Uba Sani on Monday.

The outgoing governor had earlier vowed to continue taking tough actions till the last hour of his administration.

The Atyap community has called on the incoming administration to ensure inclusive governance and improve security and development in Atyap land and other areas affected by killings in the state.

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