After suspension, Kaduna University lecturer recants statement criticising APC, Buhari

The suspended Kaduna University Lecturer, John Danfulani, has recanted statements he made against supporters of Nigeria’s ruling All Progressives Congress, APC.

Mr. Danfulani in December stirred controversy by lashing at supporters of the APC, northern leaders, and President Muhammadu Buhari. He also mocked the large number of out-of-school children in the north.

Part of his Facebook post said, “To them, APC is a religious party. Northern leaders under the party are demigods and crusaders of their ways of life. These people living in dusty villages of Sokoto, Kebbi, Zamfara, Kano, Jigawa are quick in calling you ‘Arne or Kafiri’ (Meaning Pagan) once you express your view on anything their God PMB and his brigade of small Angels are doing. Attack the attacker, and lets the skies fall.”

Mr. Danfulani confirmed to PREMIUM TIMES that he authored the post, which was widely circulated among Kaduna residents.

He was subsequently suspended by the university for the post, which he later deleted.

However, in an interview on Wednesday with the Voice of America Hausa radio service, he denied confirming the facebook post to PREMIUM TIMES.

Speaking in Hausa he said “I never had any discussion with the PREMIUM TIMES, it was a lie,” Mr. Danfulani said to VOA.

However, PREMIUM TIMES stands by its report that Mr. Danfulani confirmed authoring the facebook post, saying: “Yes. I stand by it 100%”.

The lecturer has since been suspended by the Kaduna state University and currently facing litigation by the police for making the post which the police claims almost caused breakdown of law and order in the state.

It is not clear if Mr. Danfulani was pressured into recanting his earlier statements. Several calls made to his mobile phone did not go through and he did not respond to email sent to him.