The controversy generated by the decision of Governor Nasir el-Rufai of Kaduna to choose a Muslim as his running mate in the 2019 gubernatorial election has refused to die down as the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in the state has reacted to the development.
This is just as the Southern Kaduna People’s Union (SOKAPU) also had its say on the matter, saying no one would be able to divide the state along religious lines.
El-Rufai, a Muslim, on Friday announced Hadiza Balarabe, another Muslim, as his choice of deputy governorship candidate.
She replaced the current Deputy Governor, Barnabas Bala, who has opted to go to the National Assembly and has since emerged as the APC’s candidate for the southern Kaduna senatorial district.
Speaking on the matter, the Secretary, Kaduna State chapter of CAN, Reverend Sunday Ibrahim noted, “It has never happened in Kaduna State for people of the same faith to govern the state. The electorates are those who will decide and not me.”
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Also reacting, the President, Southern Kaduna People’s Union (SOKAPU), Barr. Solomon Musa, said, “It is the prerogative of anyone aspiring for public office to choose whoever he wants as his running mate, the incumbent governor has the right to pick anybody of his choice. Remember it is not only one party that is in Kaduna State, there are so many other parties.
“What we are hoping is that Kaduna State and southern Kaduna should never be polarized along religious line. So, if anybody decides to polarize Kaduna State along religious line, that again is that person’s prerogative.”