Ijaw Leader, Chief Edwin Clark has condemned the inflammatory religious comments credited to the immediate past governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai.
El-Rufai was, at a meeting with Islamic leaders in Kaduna State, quoted as saying that the Muslim-Muslim ticket would be sustained in Nigeria for 20 years.
Responding in a statement on Friday, Clark said: “The insensitive, irresponsible, uncouth and arrogant statement credited to Nasir El-Rufai, on his plan to impose the Islamic religion on the country, lasting for the next 20 years, is still causing bad blood.
“It is unthinkable how someone who describes himself as a leader could utter such statements, except to cause confusion, which is very obvious that he benefits from such confusion. Because there is no other way of explaining such crass behaviour and statements.
“It is a shame and embarrassment that El-Rufai who has been in government since 1999 and has served with President Olusegun Obasanjo’s government, should commit such a seditious act that could incite violence and tear the country apart. What else is a treasonable felony? What is the difference between the action of El-Rufai and the offence that Nnamdi Kanu is accused of?”
The elder statesman also advised newly elected and returning senators to ensure that they elect a Christian senator as the President of the 10th Senate, saying it was the only fair thing to do.
In the statement he personally signed, Clark noted that a potential all-Muslim leadership consisting of President Bola Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, Chief Justice of the Federation, Olukayode Ariwoola, and the speculated Muslim Speaker of the House of Representatives, would be detrimental to the country.
“Allowing a Muslim to occupy the Senate Presidency would only consolidate this mono-religious leadership, which may not be suitable for prudent minds,” he said.
“Our division is hindering us from taking our pride of place both in the African continent and globally. It is time to heal our land, and in so doing, what I expect of the 10th Senate is to give the position of Senate President to a Christian Senator from the southern part of the country.
Clark noted further: “It is only fair, equitable and just to do so. Making a Muslim the Senate President will be unacceptable to any discerning mind that thinks well of this country.
As it will mean that the three arms of government are all headed by Muslims. It is also to be noted that the person tipped to be the Speaker of the House of Representatives, is equally a Muslim.
