Despite Earlier Posturings, Kaduna State Gov. El Rufai Secretly Covets Christian Votes
The Oasis Reporters
February 3, 2019
When Kaduna state governor, Nasir Ahmad El Rufai boldly dropped his erstwhile deputy governor, a Christian, from his reelection Campaign ticket in favour of a Muslim-Muslim ticket, he appeared defiant boasting that Christians of Southern Kaduna district never really voted for him and choosing a Christian deputy governorship running mate would neither make any difference nor add any value to the electoral outcome.
A reply has finally come from the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN in Kaduna State, calling El-Rufai “an ingrate… we made him governor”.
John Hayab, chairman of the Kaduna state chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), says the votes cast by Christians in the state made Nasir el-Rufai, the state governor, victorious in the 2015 gubernatorial poll.
He said this in response to the claim of the governor that majority of the Christians in southern Kaduna voted against him in 2015.
Hayab, who spoke on Thursday at the inauguration of newly elected state executives of CAN at its secretariat in the state, accused the governor of being ungrateful.
He said el-Rufai, (who was represented at the occasion by Samuel Aruwan, his spokesman), would be lying to say Christians did not vote for him.
“We voted for them and if the man tells you that we did not vote for him, he is a liar,” Hayab said.
“He is a liar! Christians even made him governor, but because he is an ingrate, because he has no fear of God, he came out and told Christians that we never voted for him.
“I have always used a simple example. In Jama’a local government area of Kaduna state, where the total votes in the 2015 was 86,000, the party in power (APC), got 39,000 votes, the party that failed (PDP) got 46,000. If the person feels that 39,000 is not significant enough as votes, then he is an ingrate.
“We know the truth and we cannot compromise truth when people begin to twist facts.
The CAN chairman warned that Christians will no longer tolerate those whom he alleged have made it their business to say bad things about them.
He said CAN does not belong to any political party, adding that people must be allowed to choose good candidates.
He told the people to disregard anyone saying there is enmity between Muslims and Christians in the state.
Hayab urged the government and its agencies at all levels to uphold the principles of fairness and equity, which according to him, are non-negotiable for a peaceful society.
“We wouldn’t even mind going to jail if we will tell them that they have insulted our people,” he said.
“I want them to know that they never come to power on their own. I have served CAN when different governors were in power in Kaduna state. “Time has come in Kaduna state that we must tell leaders that we are not ignorant.
“If anybody tells you that there was no peace in Kaduna state, he is a liar. We were able to sustain peace for nine good years- from November 22, 2002, we never had crisis again until the 2011 post election violence. So we were able to sustain peace.
“What we are trying to do now is to work towards sustaining lasting peace. But when somebody said that even when we were working together, there was no peace, that person is a liar.
“If someone is giving you a picture that there is enmity (between Christians and Muslims), there
is none.
In a separate report by Mike Odeh James and Daniel Karl Marx in Kaduna, Governor Nasir El Rufai is said to Court the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, just as he is said to have expressed his willingness to partner with the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), in the state to promote peace, unity and development .
The Governor made this known during the inaugural service of the newly elected officials of CAN at CAN secretariat in Kaduna .
Mr. El Rufai who was represented by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Mr.Samuel Aruwan, who challenged the incoming executives to uphold the true virtues of the Association which includes making Christ the centerpiece of its affairs, to promote God’s glory on earth for the growth and unity of the church .
He charged Christians in the state to reflect on the numerous challenges facing them, adding that Kaduna State Government is ready to work with the new leadership of CAN to have a united and progressive state.
In his inaugural speech, the new chairman of the Association in the state, Reverend John Joseph Hayab said he remains determined to focus on the main objectives of working to unite all Christians in kaduna state pointing out that, he will leave no stone unturned to pursue without fear or favor the freedom of religion and worship as enshrined in the Nigerian constitution.
According to Rev. Hayab, his administration would witness intensified dialogue with people from other faith towards building mutual trust, peace , religious harmony as well as justice and equity for meaningful development in the state.
“CAN in the state will work with noble Muslims to ensure no one in the state exploits their religious difference to cause division adding that, as stakeholders in the state”, he added.
“CAN will also liaise with the state government and it’s agencies to speak truth to power especially when the leaders are not in consonance with the public “.He said.
Chairman of the occasion and former Group Managing Director of Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation ( NNPC),Mr. Andrew Yakubu encouraged Christians to speak with one voice and embrace the ideals of the Association which include unity of churches, promoting understanding, peace and unity among Christians and non Christians alike as well as using the word of God as their weapon .
He further called on CAN leadership and members to take the lead in reaching out to non believers, love them and to liaise with churches for them to have common goals, statements and actions
Meanwhile, ahead of the gubernatorial election later in February 2019, Governor Nasir El Rufai has been seen in traditional Igbo garb of Southern Nigeria, urging the large Igbo population who are mainly christian merchants resident in Kaduna State to stay back and vote for him in the crucial election.
How he manages to drive a wedge between the indigenous Christian population of Southern Kaduna who feel rejected and scorned by El Rufai, and the non indigenous Christians who are mainly from the south, remains to be seen.
Credits : Kaduna News Online
Other online sources. .
