In Kaduna, religion is dragged into politics
I’m a Muslim, and I’m from Southern Kaduna, which is why I found the hullabaloo about Governor Nasir El-Rufai’s choice of new running mate ridiculous. She is an accomplished woman, who will bring something to the table, so what does her religion serve? I have uncles, aunties, and cousins who are Christians, and friends as well. Maybe that’s why I will never understand bigotry, even though I’ve since deciphered that it is fueled by ignorance and a lack of proper education. Or even something else, just as dangerous: Political misdirection.
Maybe it is as a result of all the things I’ve mentioned that I find disturbing, a development in Kaduna city, the Southern part, precisely Barnawa. Right after the WAI roundabout, right after Living Faith Church, as I drove, I saw something that made my heart almost stop: A billboard. Now, the sign didn’t show gory or vulgar photos, but the image of a man in asuit, with a message that’s ill-fitting for the Nigeria we all occupy today. Or one we should be occupying.
The man on the billboard, also, held up a copy of the Holy Bible, and the big bold letters atop his head said: ‘I’m a Christian and I will vote for El-Rufai’. I could not believe my eyes, or how far down we have fallen in our problems, that religion is LITERALLY used in politics. Yes, I know the governor is having a spot of difficulty with the Southern, mostly Christian part of the state, but whoever came up with that campaign idea and slogan is not doing any favours in the direction of smoothening El-Rufai’s figurative speed-bumps in Southern Kaduna.
People, Christian or Muslim, are not stupid, and can immediately discern when anyone is trying to fleece them. Therefore, campaigns should be respectful of the people’s sensibilities, and not insult the very people it is trying to woo.
The solution? It’s pretty simple, and I’m giving it away for free (even though some may argue that it’s kind of late, as the elections are a few weeks away). Governor El-Rufai should engage Southern Kaduna people, especially the mostaggrieved parts, more head-on and hands-on, with a view to smoothening out whatever issue there is between both parties. He’s a great guy, and I’m sure he can pull it, because I’ve seen him at his best. But honestly, the billboard I mentioned above makes him look his worst, even if I’m certain he didn’t sanction the production or use of said signage.
As for Christians and Muslims of Kaduna State, we should all resist anyone or group using politics to divide us further than unfortunate incidents have done. It’s not very long ago that we all were living in harmony with each other, when our beloved state was one of the best to live in, in Nigeria. I miss those days, and I also miss my Christmas rice and fried goat meat every December. I miss my friends who have ‘crossed to the other side’. I want a Kaduna where all are comfortable to live anywhere they please, and associate with as much of a variety of people as they possibly can. And that is why we should all vote not based on religion, but rather based on the best man or woman who will do the job of steering the state back to the course which it should be on.