House of Kaduna Co-chair Resigns over El-Rufai’s Comments in Viral Video

By John Shiklam in Kaduna

The co-Chairman and member of House of Kaduna Family, Apostle Emmanuel Kure, has resigned his position and membership of the organisation in protest against recent comments by the immediate former governor of the state, Nasir El-Rufai.

El-Rufai had on September 2020, inaugurated 22 leading Christian and Muslim clerics in the state to promote peaceful coexistence among adherents of the two religious groups.

The former governor, had while speaking during the inauguration of the group, said “diversity of faith should not be a reason for division and violent conflict in Kaduna state”.

However, Kure, in his resignation letter addressed to the Chairman of the Kaduna Peace Commission and made available to journalists on Sunday in Kaduna, said he was saddened by El-Rufai’s utterances in the viral video that trended on the social media.

He said it has now become clear that the Kaduna House Family, was set-up to serve a diversionary interest and not meant to promote peace.

“Against this backdrop of the viral video statement credited to His Excellency, the now defunct Governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, (which he is yet to openly deny) in which he openly thanked one religion over the other and explained why his government discriminated against one side and his wish that the Muslim-Muslim ticket and religion be entrenched as the sole ruler over Nigeria, which is contrary to my belief and the fairness that my faith teaches me and that, I think, the Peace Commission stands for”, the letter reads.

“I hereby tender my resignation as both Co-Chair and member of this laudable committee because it is clear that we were set-up to serve a diversionary interest and that we were not meant to succeed.

“This may explain why the governor never executed any of our suggestions from our several parleys with him.

“I cannot in good conscience serve in a committee that will promote the disharmony, and the further disintegration of our great nation.

“More so, it is clear that this explains why he arbitrarily proscribed the Atyap Development Association to send warning to the other associations in Southern Kaduna that the same fate awaits them if they try to bring the plight of Southern Kaduna people to the rest of the world”.

Kure expressed the hope that the current government in Kaduna state, will do things to heal the wounds that El-Rufai’s grave statement has brought to the Southern Kaduna people and to all Christians in Nigeria.

“I also pray that the Federal Government will find a way of discountenancing his views in order to maintain peace and mutual trust between the religions in the country.

“I thank the Peace Commission for the opportunity to serve and to get to know closely the wonderful Muslim leaders with whom I served in this great committee.

“I will always have respect for them and the wonderful job we set out to do, and the sacrifice we all made to try to bring peace, and assure the people of the integrity of government to which I regret today to announce following the speech of His Excellency (El-Rufai) that we have been taken for a ride”, he said.

Kure however said, he is available to serve in any capacity that will promote sincere peace in any future platform with sincere intentions.

“I commend the maturity and hardwork of the leadership of the Kaduna Peace Commission from the Chairman, to the Vice Chairman and all the Secretariat staff in their sincere work for peace.

“I will continue to be the bridge of peace between Muslims and Christians in Southern Kaduna and the whole nation and be available to serve in any capacity that will forge the unity of Nigeria.

“May God raise for us leaders who will truly help us find true peace. God bless you all and God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria”, the clergyman said.