The Council of Imams and Ulama in Kaduna has accused the state chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) of misrepresenting comments attributed to former Governor Nasir El-Rufai.
In a statement by its Secretary-General, Dr. Yusuf Yakubu Arrigasiyyu, the Council said the claim that El-Rufai suggested Christians were less than 25% of Kaduna’s population was “mischievously twisted.”
According to the clerics, the remark was made by the Channels Television interviewer during Politics Today, not by El-Rufai himself.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the comment came from the anchor, not Mallam El-Rufai. It is irresponsible for CAN to twist facts and spread falsehood,” the Council said.
The body further alleged that CAN was attempting to distract the public from allegations of financial inducements in dollars allegedly offered to some Christian leaders.
It urged CAN to investigate such allegations transparently rather than issue “incendiary” statements.
While affirming Kaduna’s religious diversity, the Council warned against dragging faith into partisan disputes, stressing that peaceful coexistence is non-negotiable.
