The Council of Imams and Ulama in Kaduna State has strongly condemned what it described as a “mischievous and misleading” statement issued by the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Kaduna State Chapter, over comments attributed to former Governor Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai during a recent television appearance.
In a rejoinder signed by its Secretary General, Yusuf Yakubu Arrigasiyyu, PhD, the Council clarified that the remark suggesting Christians constitute less than 25 percent of Kaduna’s population was never made by El-Rufai, but by the interviewer on Channels Television’s Politics Today. The group accused CAN of twisting the narrative to score cheap political points.
“It is irresponsible for CAN to attribute to Mallam El-Rufai a statement he did not make,” the Council declared, warning that such deliberate misinformation was capable of inflaming religious passions and undermining peace in the state.
The Council also criticized CAN for what it called a deliberate attempt to divert public attention from widely discussed allegations that some Christian leaders were offered dollar inducements during political campaigns. According to the statement, instead of issuing incendiary press releases, CAN should address these allegations transparently by launching an internal inquiry and making its findings public.
“Silence or deflection on such grave matters only undermines credibility and public trust,” the Council noted.
While acknowledging that Christians form a minority population in the state, the Council stressed that Kaduna belongs to all — Muslims and Christians alike. It, however, cautioned against dragging religion into partisan politics, describing such acts as dangerous and unacceptable.
“We will not stand by while falsehood is weaponized to unsettle our state. Peaceful coexistence is non-negotiable; reckless statements and calculated distractions are unacceptable,” the Council stated.
The rejoinder comes amid heightened political and religious tensions in Kaduna, where stakeholders have repeatedly warned against rhetoric capable of igniting division.