2019: Why I opted for Muslim/Muslim ticket – El-rufai

The Kaduna State Governor, Malam Nasir El-Rufai, yesterday gave reasons he was contesting the 2019 gubernatorial elections with Dr. Hadiza Balarabe as his running mate, a Muslim like him.

El-Rufai disclosed that Dr. Hadiza Balarabe was chosen based on her competence and antecedents not because of her religious affiliation.
According to El-Rufai, “government House is not a place of worship but a place of work for the people.”

El-Rufai gave his reasons while hosting the people of Sanga Local Government, where Dr. Hadiza Balarabe hails from, who paid him a ‘thank you’ visit over the choice of their daughter as his running mate.
The governor also disclosed that she was chosen out of about 32 persons pencilled down for the position.

Narrating how he arrived at choosing Balarabe, El-Rufai said “about a year ago, the Deputy Governor, Architect Barnabas Yusuf Bala told me he was going to contest for Senate. I was in dilemma to get a replacement for Architect Bantex.

“So, we started compiling the list of people for consideration, and I had up to 32 names, including names of some people seated with me here today. Then, we started selection and dropping of names based on merit. From 32 names to 17 to 12 and then 5 names- three males and two females.”
The governor also said getting in touch with the running mate was difficult, disclosing that it was his third wife that provided the number for him.

“When I called her, she said she was in Kenya. I told her that she will be my running mate in the 2019 elections and I asked her whether she accepts.”

“She did not give an answer immediately but she called me back after some minutes and said she accepted,” the governor explained.

He said after making the choice, many respected persons called to tell him that he had made the right choice as Dr. Balarabe was hard working and competent.

On the controversy generated by the Muslim/Muslim ticket, the governor explained that “from the beginning, I had told my team that, I will never choose or deny anyone appointment because of religion or ethnicity. But some people started all manner of things, ‘Muslim-Muslim ticket’ and so on. But government house is not a place of worship. We come here to work for the people.

“The people that have criticized me most on this are people who never voted me in the first place. So, are they not supposed to be celebrating if in their own opinion I have made a wrong choice? Then, why are they mourning?” El-Rufai queried.

While speaking on Dr. Balarabe’s qualities, El-Rufai said his running mate has repositioned the state primary healthcare development agency where she was Executive Secretary.

Speaking earlier, the Sanga local government delegation said the appointment of their daughter, Balarabe, as the running mate to El-rufai for the 2019 election has given them hope that they actually belonged in the affairs of government.

Speaking on behalf of the community, the traditional ruler of Numana community in Sanga, Etu Numana, Brigadier-General Aliyu Yamma (Rtd), said over the years, successive governments had forgotten the people of the area as far as participation in government was concerned.

The traditional ruler said: “The governor couldn’t have made a better choice than the selection of Hadiza. We now feel a sense of belonging in Kaduna government. We are just like black Americans in Kaduna State”.

He also appealed to El-rufai to ensure the establishment of an Army Battalion in the vicinity to curb the incessant security situation they are suffering.

According to him: “Sabo Gida (a community is the LGA) has become a hideout for criminals. These criminals run from Plateau State to hide here. So, we are calling on the governor to help us with the establishment of Army Battalion in Sabo Gida”. He said.