Zamani Lekwot, chairman of the Southern Kaduna Elders Forum (SKEF), has reacted to call for the revisiting of the death sentence handed to him and six other persons over the 1992 Zangon Kataf crisis.
Former military President Ibrahim Babangida had set up a tribunal to investigate the riot which led to massive destruction of lives and property in Kaduna.
The tribunal headed by Benedict Okadigbo, a former judge, had indicted Lekwot and others whom he sentenced to death.
But Sani Abacha, the late military dictator, granted them pardon in 1996.
The Supreme Council for Shariah in Nigeria, last week had absolved Kaduna State Government of being responsible for Fulani herdsmen attacks in Southern Kaduna.
The council said the recent attacks in Southern Kaduna by the Fulani herdsmen is a reprisal against the Kataf youths for kiIIing their people and setting their rugas ablaze.
The council in a statement by its Secretary, AbdulRahman Hassan, said the only way peace can return to the Southern Kaduna region is for government to execute Major General Zamani Lekwot (retd.) and other leaders sentenced to death over the Zango - Kataf crisis in 1992.
He stated, “We want those pardoned in 1992 during Zango - Kataf crisis, after being condemned to death, to be executed now because that is the only way peace will return to the area.
Speaking with journalists after the weekly protest and prayer session at the ECWA Church, Narayi High Cost, Kaduna on Sunday, Lekwot said his life is in the hands of God, “not detractors”.
The former military governor of Rivers state said: “All religious leaders are expected to preach peace, not hate and religious violence.”
“The kiIIings which took place 28 years in Zangon Kataf was unfortunate, but the genesis was a dispute over relocation of a market and at the end of the day, a commission of inquiry was set up, and recommendations were made.
“All of the recommendation have been implemented. So, those referring to it are being clever by half. What we need in the country is genuine tolerance.
“Now by saying what they said they have just confirmed why armed foreign bandits have been imported into our country to destroy our country. How does what they said address the issues at hand? What is happening in southern Kaduna and other parts of the country is a bad omen for our unity and stability.”
Lekwot also spoke against comments by Chukwuemeka Okonkwo, commander of the Operation Safe Heaven, who said that “criminal elements on both sides” in southern Kaduna were responsible for the crisis in the area.
He described Okonkwo’s statement “as very unfortunate one coming from a military commander”.
Supo Ayokunle, president of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), and Steven Baba, president of ECWA Church, who attended the prayer session, described the statement by SCSN as an agenda to set the country ablaze.
They, however, commended the federal government over the deployment of special military forces to maintain peace in southern Kaduna.
They also called on the government to arrest and prosecute those behind the kiIIings in order to ensure lasting peace.
“How can you imagine something that happened 28 years ago in Zangon Kataf and some people are calling for execution of Lekwot and others now, in the midst of crisis in Southern Kaduna. Will that help in peace building?” Ayokunle asked.