I’m Happy About On-Going Peace Process in Southern Kaduna, says El-Rufai
Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, the Governor of Kaduna State yesterday expressed satisfaction with the peace being brokered in Southern Kaduna by the Chief of Atyap, Dominic Gambo Yahaya.
El-Rufai disclosed in an interview shortly after a closed-door meeting with Mohammed Sa’ad Abubakar 111, the Sultan of Sokoto, saying his concern had always been how people could live in peace with each other in the state. “All humans are equal before our creator so your neighbour should be considered as your blood relation.
“Therefore, we are happy with what the Chief of Atyap started, may God reward him for inviting all the ethnic groups under his chiefdom and agreed to live in peace and harmony,” he said.
However, the Governor had earlier held a closed-door meeting with the Sultan who paid him a courtesy visit at Government House, Kaduna.
The Sultan had arrived Kaduna at about 12:20 pm and was received by Balarabe Abbas, Secretary to the State Government, Chief of Staff, Muhammad Sani Dantijo, and the Commissioner of Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan.
Jafaru Sani Ibrahim, the Kaduna State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs was also part of the officials that received the Sultan.
At his arrival, the Sultan immediately went into the meeting with the Governor which lasted about an hour but refused to speak with journalists after the meeting.
Speaking to the press, Governor El-Rufa’i said the sultan was his elder brother and was in Kaduna on a private visit.
El-Rufai said the Sultan came to express support for the measures taken to promote peace in Kaduna State.
“He came on a private visit to talk to me, to advise me, to guide me and also expressed his support for our efforts at bringing peace to Kaduna State.
“He is happy that many people have come, all talking about peace and felt he should not be left out, particularly in light of our historical relationship not only as Barewa old boys but as my elder brother.”