The Southern Kaduna Youth and Students Forum (SKYSFOM), has asked the senate not to confirm Nasir El-Rufai, the immediate past governor of Kaduna state, as a minister.
In a statement on Thursday in Kaduna, the group said the appointment of El-Rufai as minister will do more harm than good to the country.
The group alleged that El-Rufai was known for religious bigotry and disregard for rule of law during his eight year tenure as governor of Kaduna state.
SKYSFOM in a petition to the senate, signed by Shedrack Danladi, its president, said it will be very unfortunate to ignore calls by many patriotic Nigerians against El-Rufai’s confirmation as minister.
The group maintained that going by his recent utterances which revealed his religious bias, El-Rufai is “unfit to serve Nigeria at this material time”.
The group said, “Ignoring our call and that of other patriotic Nigerians who are after the unity, progress, and development of our dear Nation Nigeria, will speak ill of the 10th Senate.
“It is no longer news again, that Nasir El-Rufai is an ethno-religious bigot, particularly against the people of Southern Kaduna.
“Such a character should not be given another opportunity to serve Nigeria in any capacity, particularly our Nigeria of today.
“Nigeria is in dire need of leaders who will demonstrate and promote compassion, empathy, inclusiveness, justice, fairness, and unity, not the reverse.
“The immediate past governor of Kaduna State should not be considered because he will do more harm to Nigeria than good.
“A few months ago, El-Rufai become a national discuss following his inflammatory and inciteful comments in a viral video against the Christian population in Kaduna State, while justifying his same faith ticket legacy.
“Southern Kaduna is populated by Christians, therefore El-Rufai’s inciteful comments in that video are directed at the Southern Kaduna people.
“During his eight years of rulership and tyranny, many lives and property were lost in southern Kaduna to persistent attacks without remorse from the El-Rufai’s government.
“His inflammatory statements captured on that viral video alone should propel the Senate not to confirm his nomination because like in Kaduna State, he will surely repeat the same at the National level which will not be healthy to us as a nation.”
