Despite the heavy criticism from the general public over the bill proposed to legislate religious activities in Kaduna state, Governor Nasir El-Rufai remains unperturbed.

The governor’s resolute stance was revealed by his political adviser, Malam Uba Sani while addressing men of the press in Kaduna.

Sani said certain people that were out to cause mischief are responsible for the heavy backlash that has trailed the governor’s policies in recent times.

He said: “You may accuse Governor El-Rufai of anything but you‎ don’t even have to know him too well to deduce that the governor is not the type to be swayed by any form or shade of primordial religious sentiments.”

“We are not going to get tired of explaining to our people that all the policies, programmes as well as legislations currently being implemented or about to be implemented by the El Rufai administration will always be in the best interest of the state.”

“They will also be for the good of the people who overwhelmingly elected the governor into office.”

Sani assured that El Rufai will not betray the people of the state that elected him into office as he also revealed that the religious bill before the State House of Assembly was not an entirely new bill.

He stated that the bill which has come under severe criticism, has been in existence since 1984.

“The governor has deep knowledge of the state and knows how easy it is for persons who do not mean well for the state, to orchestrate negative religious issues given the seemingly sharp religious divide in the state.”

“My understanding is that previous administrations in Kaduna State that had either enacted or retained this law were responding to outbreaks of religious violence in the state over time.”

“So, like we have severally explained, in further amending this law, the government is only seeking to discourage the use of religion for violence and division. Kindly note however, that this law does not in any way abridge, threaten or violate the freedom of worship as enshrined in the constitution of our great country.”

Adebayo Emuleomo