The Kaduna State Chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria has urged the Christian community to disregard the extremist video that has been circulating in the media in which El-Rufai attacks the Christian community.
In the viral video, El-Rufai is heard stating that the victory of Bola Tinubu has subdued the Christian Association of Nigeria and that he foresees a twenty-year Islamic-dominated government not only in Kaduna, but throughout Nigeria.
Rev. John Joseph Hayab, chairman of the CAN, stated that the video was merely an attempt to keep him in circulation and pertinent.
Rev. Hayab added that the video demonstrates that the former governor of Kaduna state has an agenda that he intends to advance.
He stated, “Nigerians must understand why El-Rufai is acting as he is. They must comprehend the strategy underlying these comments. Rufai is up to something, and I will explain why he is doing it so that Nigerians will understand and not squander time arguing and debating about a man who is pursuing a plan that we will monitor to see if it materialises.
“I need to inform Nigerians. We have consistently played devotional cards. People are acting and do not wish to discuss it. In each of his three failed endeavours to become president, Buhari employed each of these strategies. But because he played that game, formed alliances with other political parties, and ultimately became president, Rufai lives in the fantasy that he can play the religious game and possibly become president of Nigeria tomorrow.
“Therefore, it is irrelevant whether individuals are angry or whether the statements are weighty. El-Rufai spoke exclusively of himself. He lacks regard for Islam and Islamic clerics. Everything he does is for his own personal gain, with no regard for religion or the people.
The President of the CAN also stated that the statements made in the video would create a “slippery slope” for President Tinubu, as many people would turn to him if the situation deteriorated.
“Also, El-Rufai is intentionally creating a slippery terrain for Bola Tinubu, so that as soon as this issue becomes contentious, people will flock to Bola Tinubu. However, we distinguish between El-Rufai, Tinubu, and others,” he said.
Reverend Hayab also refuted assertions that CAN endorsed Peter Obi as their Christian presidential candidate.
According to him, the Christian Association of Nigeria never announced that Christians should vote for Peter Obi because he is a Christian candidate. No.”
