The leadership of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in the northern region has expressed concerns over comments made by Nasir el-Rufai, the former governor of Kaduna State, regarding southern Kaduna.
In a recent interview as monitored by GospelRaw, el-Rufai claimed that certain groups in southern Kaduna exhibited a sense of entitlement, a behavior he said he resisted during his tenure as governor.
He further stated that his governance approach was both firm and fair, emphasizing that he would not tolerate what he considered “nonsense” from any group.
El-Rufai also argued that southern Kaduna made up less than a quarter of Kaduna’s total population, asserting that some individuals there felt entitled to act in a certain manner, and that he took a strong stance against it.
He likened this to his dealings with the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN), led by Sheikh Ibrahim El-Zakzaki, saying that although he shared the same religion with the IMN, he did not tolerate their actions either.
The former governor added, “I don’t care what people think about me; the reason my critics despise me is because I remain indifferent to their opinions.”
In response to el-Rufai’s remarks, John Hayab, chairman of CAN in northern Nigeria, described the former governor’s comments as harmful and divisive. Hayab, who was the leader of CAN in Kaduna during el-Rufai’s administration, accused the former governor of holding a deep-seated animosity toward the people of southern Kaduna.
He also criticized the way southern Kaduna had been treated under el-Rufai’s leadership, arguing that the community’s population is vibrant and resilient, despite the challenges they have faced.
“Many of the families in southern Kaduna are led by pastors who avoid polygamy, yet some households have 15 to 23 children. This shows the region is far from insignificant,” Hayab stated.
He further criticized el-Rufai for policies he said were designed to marginalize southern Kaduna and exacerbate divisions. Hayab expressed disappointment that the former governor had not shown any remorse for his actions, noting that this highlighted his disdain for the people he was meant to serve.
In refuting el-Rufai’s claim that only those unfamiliar with him label him a religious fundamentalist, Hayab shared his personal experiences during el-Rufai’s rule.
He emphasized that the relative peace now enjoyed in Kaduna was a direct contrast to the unrest during the former governor’s tenure.
Hayab also called for future census exercises to incorporate data on religion and ethnicity in order to avoid any manipulation of population figures by political figures.
“Our country can only move toward unity when all citizens are treated with fairness, and when truth is prioritized over political gain,” Hayab concluded.
