Lere Natives Reaffirm Loyalty to Southern Kaduna, Demand Recognition and Boundary Adjustment

Mike Odeh James

The Concerned Natives of Lere Local Government Area in Kaduna State have reaffirmed their membership in the Southern Kaduna Peoples Union (SOKAPU) and their identification with Southern Kaduna. The natives made their stance known during a world press conference on Monday, February 3, 2025.

Addressing the media, Comrade Shuaib Ibrahim Umaru emphasized that Lere natives are an integral part of Southern Kaduna and, as such, actively participate in the Southern Kaduna Festival.

This declaration comes in response to a group known as the Lere Local Government Unity Association Forum, led by Barrister Nasiru Bello Dembo and his secretary, Mal. Ahmed Idris, which had questioned Lere’s affiliation with Southern Kaduna.

The natives of Lere Local Government Area have maintained that their membership in SOKAPU is sacrosanct and non-negotiable, emphasizing that it is a matter of choice and a fundamental right.

According to Umaru, “Our membership in SOKAPU and loyalty to Southern Kaduna is unequivocal. The historical and cultural ties that bind us to Southern Kaduna, such as the Nok civilization, which dates back over 500 years, are undeniable.”

The group has challenged anyone to verify the facts, stating, “Our association with SOKAPU is a matter of the heart, and we won’t be swayed by external pressures to disown our heritage.”

They have also called on their leaders to take action to protect their rights and interests. “It is clear that the people of Lere Local Government Area are proud of their Southern Kaduna roots and won’t let anyone dictate their identity or affiliation,” Umaru added.

**Akurmi Leader Calls for Boundary Adjustment to Reunite with Southern Kaduna**

Speaking in the same vein, the leader of one of the ethnic groups in Lere, Mr. Ishaku M. Maigamo, President of the Akurmi National Development Council, called for a boundary adjustment to reunite the Akurmi people with Southern Kaduna.

According to him, the Akurmi people, an ethnic group primarily found in Kaduna and Kano States, have a rich history and culture, with their own language, T’kurmi, and a population of around 77,000. However, their affiliation with Southern Kaduna predates the creation of Lere.

Maigamo stated that the Akurmi ethnic group makes up over 80 percent of Lere Local Government Area and has historically been part of Southern Kaduna until a boundary readjustment moved them to the northern part of Kaduna. To this end, they are appealing to the Federal Government to return them to Southern Kaduna.

“The Akurmi people have historically identified with Southern Kaduna, and this recent development has sparked a desire to reclaim our ancestral heritage,” Maigamo said.

The Akurmi people are predominantly Christian, with a significant number adhering to traditional ethnic religions and Islam. They have a strong presence in Lere Local Government Area, which is part of Kaduna State