Southern Kaduna Peoples' Union.
Press Release
22/01/2019
Southern Kaduna People Do not Hate el-rufai
The Governor of Kaduna State, Malam Nasir Ahmad El- Rufai was widely seen and heard on Channels TV on 18 February, 2018 alleging that 67 percent of Christian voters in Southern Kaduna would not vote for him even if he nominates the Pope as his running mate.
Despite our measured and steadfast resolve to ignore this issue, considering the emotional reaction that the interview generated, it has, however, become imperative to speak and correct the deliberate misinformation, negative stereotyping and the generalization that was devoid of logic or fact.
What is the reality? The fact is that Christians in Southern Kaduna do not hate Governor el-Rufai, but we abhor his deliberate policy aimed at reducing our people into political nothingness. With the general elections approaching, the governor has been peddling this falsehood at several events. We declare emphatically the fact that our people and members, who include both Christians and Muslims, do not hate any politician on account of their religion. The governor's assertions are merely the figments of his imaginations and should be ignored.
The deliberate falsehood manufactured by the governor is punctured by the fact that Christians in Southern Kaduna have been voting Muslims as governors for a long time since the creation of the State. The governors include Alhaji Abdulkadir Balarabe Musa, Alhaji Dabo Lere, Alhaji Mohammed Makarfi, Arch. Mohammed Namadi Sambo and the governor himself. Christians in Kaduna have voted, not on religious basis, but on competence and merit; and Governor el- Rufai was a direct beneficiary of that in 2015 when Christians voted for him.
If Christians in Southern Kaduna voted for him in 2015, against the then sitting governor, Alhaji Ramalan Yero, a fellow Muslim, why is he now alleging that Christians would not vote for him? What did he do now that he is alleging being rejected by Christians? Why is he suddenly bringing in the issue of religion with the election just around the corner? Is he guilty of something that is haunting him? Is he running away from something when nobody is pursuing him? How did the governor arrive at the 67 percent figure of Christians that he alleged would not vote for him? What is the Governor really planning?
It is most disheartening that a governor of a multi-religious and multi- ethnic state like Kaduna would resort to religious sentiments for seeking re-election when competency and merit should be the basis. Southern Kaduna and indeed the entire State will vote a democratic Governor that will unite and provide astute leadership to our beleaguered State. Christians and Muslims in Kaduna State are committed in doing just that. We shall not allow any form of bigotry to divide us.
Our advice to Malam el-Rufai is for him to be a governor to all. He should stand for all, speak for all and protect all. He should be the one dousing tension and rallying all for unity, instead of unnecessarily heating up the political atmosphere in the state.
Thank you.
Signed: Mr Yakubu Kuzamani.
National Public Relation Officer, SOKAPU
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