Kaduna State Governor Nasir el-Rufai has condemned the
manipulation of religion and ethnicity for political interests by
the elite in the country.
The governor, who is seeking reelection under the banner of the
All Progressives Congress, said the choice of Dr Hadiza Balarabe as
his running mate for the March 2 governorship poll was “influenced
by considerations of competence, developing the state and pulling
the talents of the women”.
El-Rufai was quoted by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and
Publicity, Mr. Samuel Aruwan, to have stated these as a guest on a
Hausa programme, ‘Hannu Dayawa’ on the Federal Radio Corporation of
Nigeria, Kaduna, on Saturday.
The governor said people in their businesses, travels and daily
lives look for those who could give them results, not the faith of
the person.
He said, “Our action was not predicated on religion or ethnicity
but getting a deputy governor that suits our quest for a better
Kaduna State.”
The governor added, “You are sick and in dire need of life. When
you are rushed to hospital, what do you need? Life or the religion
of the doctor? Life is what you need and you will not waste time on
the religion and the ethnic background of the doctor.
“When you are flying, do you care about the religion or the
ethnic background of the pilot or a safe flight?
“It’s the same thing with business and investment. You hire
those who can make your investment profitable.”
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