- Safiu Kehinde
The Council of Imams and Ulama, Kaduna State Chapter, has faulted the Christian Association of Nigeria’s (CAN) remark over the low Christian population claim by former governor of the state, Nasir El-Rufai.
NPO Reported that El-Rufai had on Channels TV’s Sunday Politics programme accused the Christian community in Southern Kaduna of having high sense of entitlement despite their low population which is less than 25% in the region.
He also alleged that some CAN leaders in the region often demand inducements from the state government which he stopped during his tenure.
In reaction, the association had refuted El-Rufai’s claim.
Counter-reacting to CAN’s response in a statement issued on Thursday by its Secretary General, Yusuf Arrigassiyu, the Council of Imams and Ulama accused the association of discrediting El-Rufai.
The Kaduna clerics held that the 25% Christian population remark was made by the anchor of the programme, Seun Okinbaloye, and not the former governor.
“The Council of Imams and Ulama, Kaduna State, has taken note of the recent press release by the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Kaduna Chapter, which sought to discredit former Governor Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai over comments allegedly made on Channels Television’s Politics Today.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the remark about Christians constituting less than 25% of Kaduna’s population was made by the interviewer, not by Mallam El-Rufai. It is therefore mischievous and irresponsible for CAN to twist facts and attribute to him a statement he did not make.” The clerics wrote.
They further accused CAN of distracting the public with the population claim rather than responding to the alleged dollar inducements offered to some of its leaders.
The clerics charged the Christian association to probe the leaders involved, stressing that deflection on such grave matters only undermines credibility and public trust.
While noting that Kaduna belongs to all citizens irrespective of religious affiliation, the clerics warned CAN to desist from dragging religion into partisan politics, peddling inaccuracies, and inflaming passions.
“More troubling is CAN’s attempt to distract public attention from serious and widely discussed allegations of dollar inducements offered to certain Christian leaders for political ends. Instead of issuing incendiary statements, CAN should address these allegations transparently: launch an internal inquiry, make its findings public.
“Silence or deflection on such grave matters only undermines credibility and public trust.
“Despite the low percentage of Christians in the state, the Council is of the view that Kaduna belongs to all of us—Muslims and Christians alike.
“We therefore caution CAN to desist from dragging religion into partisan politics, peddling inaccuracies, and inflaming passions.
“The Council of Imams and Ulama will not stand by while falsehood is weaponized to unsettle our state.
“We call on all stakeholders to uphold truth, restraint, and responsibility.
“Peaceful coexistence is non-negotiable; reckless statements and calculated distractions are unacceptable.” The council added.