The Forum described the former governor as divisive and an extremist who did not have the interest of the unity of the country at heart.
The Southern Kaduna Youth and Students Forum has written to the Nigerian Senate, requesting the National Assembly not to confirm President Bola Tinubu's ministerial nominee, and former Governor, Nasir El-Rufai.
The Forum described the former governor as divisive and an extremist who did not have the interest of the unity of the country at heart.
In the petition addressed to the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, which was signed by the National President of the Forum, Shedrack Danladi, the forum asked the nation's upper legislative chamber not to allow El-Rufai serve as a minister in the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Titled: "A petition against the Nomination of Mal. Nasiru El- Rufai By President Bola Ahmed Tinubu For Senate Confirmation As A Minister Of The Federal Republic Of Nigeria," the Forum said "El-Rufai is an Ethno-Religious bigot, particularly against the people of Southern Kaduna. Such a character should not be given another opportunity to serve Nigeria in any capacity, particularly our Nigeria of today."
Giving reasons why the Senate shouldn't confirm him as Minister, the forum said, “At this particular point in our history as a nation, Nigeria is in dire need of leaders who will demonstrate and promote compassion, empathy, inclusiveness, justice, fairness, and unity, not the reverse.”
The letter partly read, "The immediate past governor of Kaduna State should not be considered because he will do more harm to Nigeria than good. During his eight years of rule in Kaduna, many lives and properties were lost in Southern Kaduna to persistent attacks without remorse from the El-Rufai's government.
“His inflammatory statements captured on that viral video alone should propel the Senate not to confirm his nomination because like in Kaduna State, he will surely repeat the same at the National level which will not be healthy for us as a Nation."
The Forum cautioned the Senators to be mindful that Nigerian youths may not be patient with, or tolerate El-Rufai’s religious intolerance, extremism, incitement, and inflammatory statements like the Southern Kaduna Youth and her people did.
"Kaduna state is yet to recover from El-Rufai’s religious bigotry, extremism, and intolerance legacies, Nigeria should not be his next victim.
"For this, we call on you to be critical in your screening of all nominees. But more particularly, we strongly advise against the endorsement of Nasir el Rufai as a Minister of the Federal Republic. Prioritise the good of Nigeria over everything else in this screening process."