....Says state citizens united behind El-Rufai
By Alabi O. Abdul
Southern Kaduna Muslim Ummah Development Association, (SOKAMUDA) has urged the National Assembly to confirm former kaduna state governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai as a minister, considering his selfless service to Kaduna state and the nation in general.
In a statement by Bala Adamu, the national Chairman and Shuaibu Zubairu, the Secretary of the group, they called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to use his good offices to intervene in esuring that El-Rufai's confirmation, especially against the background of his enormous contributions of to success of the APC as well as promotion of democratic development in the country.
While stating that the three senators representing kaduna at the hallowed chamber supported the former governor's nomination as minister, regardless of party diffrences, the group said: "we wish to equivocally register our displeasure and sadness over the recent developments that are ongoing at the National Assembly, Abuja on the screening of Ministerial nominees by Mr. President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, as regards the nominee from Kaduna State, Mallam Nasiru Ahmad Elrufai, and the inability of red chamber to recommend him after duly screening him, where he was asked to take bow and leave.
"We in the SOKAMUDA are left in total disbelief over the turn of events where his name was withheld under the excuse that it was awaiting security clearance, when it is a known criterion that his name along with all others couldn’t have reached the red chambers without formally passing through the rigorous screening of all security mechanisms.
"The Southern Kaduna Muslim Ummah Development Association, (SOKAMUDA), being the umbrella platform that coordinates and brings together all Muslim Associations, from the Southern Senatorial Zone of the state, have been thrown into confusion and dilemma to the reasons making the rounds in both print and electronic media as to the reason(s), that prompted the unexpected development, where his name was withheld.
"From what transpired on the floor of the senate on the day Mallam Nasiru Ahmad Elrufai was screened, a senator from Kogi State raised a plea that he was in possession of a petition from Southern Kaduna against the nominee, praying that he is allowed to read it, which was stood down and requested the nominee to take a bow and go by the Senate President was anything to go by, demonstrated a sign of neutrality by the Senate President, on frivolous and vindictive attitude of by some few individuals that has denied the zone any meaningful development from time immemorial.
"The above assertions and other narratives making the rounds in electronic, print and social media cannot be the basis for denying Kaduna State of this astute, firm, and a purposeful leader per excellence, who believe in the corporate unity of this nation. Its our informed view that narrow and unsubstantiated views including claims of closure of Almajiri schools cannot be the basis for not confirming Mallam El-Rufai.
"As a testimony to his selfless service to Kaduna and the nation in general, the three senators from Kaduna State who are in the opposing party unanimously endorsed the nomination of Mallam Nasiru Elrufai.
"We wonder how senator from Kogi State, outside the north west zone, roused and claimed to be in possession of a weighty petition against Mallam Nasiru Ahmad Elrufai, whose contents was not disclosed to the senate nor the general public. Notwithstanding, Mallam Nasiru Elrufai was prepared to respond on the said petition, unfortunately, the senate president said that the issue of the petition should be put on hold, requesting the nominee to take a bow and go!
"In his proven track record of unity promotion, Malam Nasir Elrufai's past achievements bear testimony to his ability to promote unity and national cohesiveness. His initiatives have fostered an inclusive society, bringing together diverse communities for the greater good of not only Kaduna state but our nation in general. During his tenure as the governor of Kaduna, he ran an inclusive administration where citizenship all Nigerians was prioritised. It is this good governance and broad minded policies that endeared Mallam Elrufai to the people of Kaduna State," the group said.
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