Kaduna Council of Imams Cautions CAN Against Weoponising Falsehood
The Council of Imams and Ulama in Kaduna State, has cautioned the state Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) against weoponising falsehoods in an attempt to shield its members from scrutiny.
A statement by the council’s Secretary General, Dr Yusuf Yakubu Arrigasiyyu, said CAN in a recent press release in which it sought to discredit former Governor Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai over comments allegedly made on Channels Television’s Politics Today, chose to ignore the dollar inducements offered to certain Christian leaders for political ends.
The statement reads in part, “For the avoidance of doubt, the remark about Christians constituting less than 25% of Kaduna’s population was made by the interviewer, not by Mallam El-Rufai. It is therefore mischievous and irresponsible for CAN to twist facts and attribute to him a statement he did not make.
“More troubling is CAN’s attempt to distract public attention from serious and widely discussed allegations of dollar inducements offered to certain Christian leaders for political ends. Instead of issuing incendiary statements, CAN should address these allegations transparently: launch an internal inquiry, make its findings public.
“Silence or deflection on such grave matters only undermines credibility and public trust.”
The council also cautioned CAN to desist from dragging religion into partisan politics, peddling inaccuracies, and inflaming passions.
“Despite the low percentage of Christians in the state, the Council is of the view that Kaduna belongs to all of us—Muslims and Christians alike. We therefore caution CAN to desist from dragging religion into partisan politics, peddling inaccuracies, and inflaming passions. The Council of Imams and Ulama will not stand by while falsehood is weaponized to unsettle our state.
“We call on all stakeholders to uphold truth, restraint, and responsibility.
“Peaceful coexistence is non-negotiable; reckless statements and calculated distractions are unacceptable.”
