Executive Governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai has refuted the Hausa-Fulani Jihadist tag on him, stating that Pastor Tunde Bakare, is one of the most influential persons in his life.
The governor stated that he is a devoted Muslim but not an active member of any Islamic organization.
El-Rufai disclosed that it was Pastor Bakare who introduced him to President Muhammadu Buhari and Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) before the emergence of the All Progressive Congress.
He stated this during an interview with BBC in Kaduna.
According to him, his cabinet is the only state government in the country that has people from 13 other states of the country.
El-Rufai said : “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 actually 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?”