₦airaland Forum

The Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in the 19 Northern states and the Federal Capital Territory, Rev. John Joseph Hayab, has condemned former Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, over his recent comments on the population strength of Southern Kaduna, describing them as “dangerous, divisive and a show of disdain” for the people of the region.

El-Rufai, while appearing on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics, had argued that Southern Kaduna accounts for less than 25 per cent of the state’s population.

He insisted he had “no regrets” over his policies and actions toward the region during his eight years in office, saying leadership was about taking tough decisions rather than appeasing everyone.

“I don’t care. The people that think I am a fundamentalist don’t know me,” the former Governor declared. “I don’t tolerate nonsense; governance is not a joke.

When you are governing 10 million people as I did in Kaduna, you must discriminate between A and B. Nobody can blackmail me that because he is a Christian, the law doesn’t apply to him. Some of the closest people I worked with in government are from Southern Kaduna. They know that this is not true.”

But Hayab, in a statement on Monday, faulted El-Rufai’s claims, arguing that they were consistent with his history of pursuing policies that undermined peace and unity in the state.

He said attempts to downplay the population of Southern Kaduna were both insulting and misleading.

“El-Rufai’s population remarks showed disdain for Southern Kaduna,” Hayab stated.

“Such a position only exposed the depth of the former governor’s contempt for the people he once governed. No responsible leader should make comments that cast aspersions on the worth and dignity of an entire community.

”The cleric recalled that during a past census exercise, the figures from Southern Kaduna were so significant that a State Shariah Committee contemplated dragging the National Population Commission to court.

According to him, that incident alone exposed the demographic weight of the region.

Hayab also highlighted the vibrancy of family life in Southern Kaduna, noting that while many Christian families in the area are led by pastors who do not take multiple wives, it is common to find households with 15 to 23 children , a reflection of the region’s robust population base.

“The reality is that population distortions in Kaduna have not been about a deficit in Southern Kaduna, but rather the inflation of figures in other parts of the state,” he said.

The CAN leader further accused El-Rufai of thriving on division during his time as Governor, contrasting it with the relative calm and coexistence enjoyed in Kaduna under the present administration.

“This peace explains why the former Governor appears bitter and angry, as harmony among the people weakens the divisive agenda he once thrived on,” Hayab added.

He also used the opportunity to call for greater transparency in the conduct of future census exercises, urging the Federal Government and the National Population Commission to include both religion and ethnicity in the enumeration process.

According to him, this will prevent political actors from manipulating figures to suit their interests.

“Our nation’s unity can only be strengthened when all citizens are treated with dignity and truth is not sacrificed for political convenience,” Hayab said.

The clash of perspectives between El-Rufai and Hayab once again underscores the enduring sensitivity of population debates in Kaduna State, where historical grievances, ethno-religious divisions, and contestations over political representation continue to shape public discourse.

LegendHero:
But you guys are applauding the same CAN when they were against Bola Tinubu in 2023. What changed?

El-Rufai the midggget don meet him match. In Kaduna, he is useless, nationally he is useless. He is trying to punch above his weight.

grandstar:
How will Elrufai say such a divisive statement?

Peter Obi is digging his political grave by holding hands with this man.

The CAN leader further accused El-Rufai of thriving on division during his time as Governor, contrasting it with the relative calm and coexistence enjoyed in Kaduna under the present administration.

AMINDA:
CAN is now a political party. Even Bishop Kukah is now a Federal government appointee and a defacto spokesman for Tinubu. He was very fierce in his criticism of Buhari. It's now obvious that all they wanted was settlement, Just like Elrufai said.

Elrufai showed no favoritism, he "hated" everyone equally. Like he said yesterday, Elzakzaky and his Islamic movement were not Christians. They hate him too for reasons known by all and sundry. Muslim-Christian crisis and waylaying and killing of innocent commuters used to be rife in Kaduna long before Elrufai became governor. He ended it with an iron-fist. They knew he wasn't bluffing so they hated him for it. You may hate his method but it was all about picking your poison. Someone had to do it. Elrufai just happened to be "that guy".

kolente:
For El-rufai to appear in a 45 minutes show on Live TV and all his comments are literally being dissected bit by bit whilst being on the front page of every SM platform say a lot about his influence and reach.

Nasir-El Rufai is a big fish in Northern Nigeria take it or leave it,

Pakute:
https://independent.ng/el-rufais-population-remarks-showed-disdain-for-southern-kaduna-hayab/

kolente:
For El-rufai to appear in a 45 minutes show on Live TV and all his comments are literally being dissected bit by bit whilst being on the front page of every SM platform say a lot about his influence and reach.

Nasir-El Rufai is a big fish in Northern Nigeria take it or leave it.

I doubt if there is anyone in the entire North with three seperate academic qualifications spanning Quantity Survey, Business Management & Law with Fourty (40) certifications from Harvard alone.

The dude knows exactly what he wants and even the Vice President Kashim Shettima "warned" that he cannot be underrated.

El-Rufai giving them wotowoto.

Pakute:
https://independent.ng/el-rufais-population-remarks-showed-disdain-for-southern-kaduna-hayab/

boxypane:
It all depended on the brand of Islam Elzakzaky and his followers where practicing (Shiets). They had issues with the types of El-Rufai. You can't hide the fact that he's a religious bigot.

Pakute:
https://independent.ng/el-rufais-population-remarks-showed-disdain-for-southern-kaduna-hayab/

Putindbutt:
Nope, when you come out to lie, people have the right to debunk the lies. That's also what they do to Obi whenever he comes out lying in the media but his confused supporters will be saying "why are they attacking Obi", bla bla bla.
As you can see, Elrufai is also being slammed for his divisive and uncouth statements. No liar will be spared.

AMINDA:
CAN is now a political party. Even Bishop Kukah is now a Federal government appointee and a defacto spokesman for Tinubu. He was very fierce in his criticism of Buhari. It's now obvious that all they wanted was settlement, Just like Elrufai said.

Elrufai showed no favoritism, he "hated" everyone equally. Like he said yesterday, Elzakzaky and his Islamic movement were not Christians. They hate him too for reasons known by all and sundry. Muslim-Christian crisis and waylaying and killing of innocent commuters used to be rife in Kaduna long before Elrufai became governor. He ended it with an iron-fist. They knew he wasn't bluffing so they hated him for it. You may hate his method but it was all about picking your poison. Someone had to do it. Elrufai just happened to be "that guy".

Spuggie:
Amazing stuff

They should leave El Rufai alone and focus on governance.

People are hungry not these religious rhetorics that the common man does not care about.

People are hungry and that's what need to changes.

oluxy:
Even the southern Kaduna people are often muted.
Can't they defend thuerselves in the media, and other social media network?

Where is Thier rich, elites, youths, women, educationalist, journalists, activist etc to always defend southern Kaduna whenever elrufia or other dude speaks illed of them?

Silent rottens and destroys tribes when everyone chooses to be silent.

kolente:
Hello Abuja Digital Summit guy,

Hope you have taken dinner ?

I watched the Interview end-to-end and he didn't say anything out of place just explained the reason he was disliked because of his firmness and strictness.

He went further to say he doesn't pay bandits a dime and challenged the Governor on the SBM intelligence report & also the Sahara Reporters data on incidences recorded in Kaduna State which he claimed are under-reported.

Mallam Nasir-El Rufai spoke with hard facts and said he could be called on to provide evidence.

Baba, The demonisation of Nasir-El rufai only makes him more popular and core muslims more sympathetic towards him.

Watch the interview once again and you will see the confidence he eschewed all through the interview.

His best and most frank interview thus far i must say !!