Kaduna, Nigeria — Immediate past Governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, has defended his governance style during his eight years in office, explaining that his strict approach and rejection of an “entitlement mentality” in Southern Kaduna shaped local perceptions of his administration.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics, El-Rufai dismissed claims of religious bias, stating his policies were applied fairly to all, regardless of ethnicity or faith.
“They can think what they want, but I do not tolerate nonsense. Governing 10 million people requires impartiality. Nobody receives special treatment because of religion,” he said.
El-Rufai pointed out that some groups in Southern Kaduna were accustomed to preferential treatment under previous governments, which he deliberately halted.
He recounted dealing firmly with groups like the IMN and Zakzaky supporters, saying: “They are Muslims like me, but I did not tolerate lawlessness from them either, and they consider me an enemy for that. I do not care.”
Accusing some Christian leaders in Southern Kaduna of benefiting financially from government privileges, El-Rufai disclosed that his administration stopped monthly payments, medical grand allocations, and funding for pilgrimage trips, labeling them wasteful expenditures.
On representation, he rejected marginalization allegations, citing appointment distribution based on senatorial zones rather than religion or ethnicity, noting Southern Kaduna accounted for over 60% of the civil service under his watch.
El-Rufai also defended his support for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC)’s Muslim-Muslim ticket in the 2023 elections, describing it as a strategic political move to secure victory rather than a religious agenda.
He closed by stating indifference to criticism of his political or religious stance, asserting confidence in his identity and governance style.
By Taiwo Olatinwo | September 1, 2025
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