The Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, has described the general overseer of the Citadel Global Community Church, Pastor Tunde Bakare as one of the most influential persons in his life.
The Governor of Kaduna State stated this while refuting the Hausa-Fulani irredentist and Jihadist tag on him.
El-Rufai during an interview with BBC in Kaduna said he is not an Islamic fanatic.
He also stated that the cleric introduced him to President Muhammadu Buhari.
El-Rufai while speaking on supporting himself with Muslims said his cabinet has people from 13 other states of the country.
The governor also stated that he is not an active member of any Islamic organization.
According to El-Rufai: “They have called me all sort of names; they said I am a Hausa-Fulani irredentist, I am Jihadist and all that, Jihadist when? Where? I am not even an active member of any Islamic organization.
”I am Muslim, yes, a devote one but, I believe religion is private.
“Look around me and see, I am not surrounded only by Muslims, this government is the only state government in this country that has at least people from 13 other states of the Federation as cabinet members.
“One of the most influential persons in my life, one of my closest political associates, is Pastor Tunde Bakare. It was Pastor Tunde Bakare that introduced me to Buhari and CPC (Congress for Progressive Change). I didn’t join the CPC because Buhari lives in Kaduna or he is a northerner. So, if I am an Islamic Jihadist, why will Pastor Tunde Bakare be speaking to me?”
This article was originally published on Nigeria News