God Before Politics’ – Fani-Kayode Launches Fresh Attack On El-Rufai Over Kaduna Christians

Former Minister of Aviation and Nigeria’s Ambassador to South Africa, Femi Fani-Kayode, has accused former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai of allegedly persecuting and marginalising Christians during his eight years in office.

Fani-Kayode made the allegation while addressing Christian leaders from Northern Nigeria, where he claimed that Christians in Kaduna suffered killings, neglect and unequal distribution of development projects and resources under the former governor.

He also alleged that Christian leaders faced insults and intimidation despite repeatedly speaking out against policies they considered unfavourable to their communities. According to him, the leaders chose peaceful resistance and prayer rather than violence.

Speaking about incumbent Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani, Fani-Kayode said he maintains a close relationship with the governor and described him as fair-minded and free from discriminatory tendencies.

Fani-Kayode recalled conversations with Sani, who previously served as a special adviser to El-Rufai, saying the current governor had expressed concerns about the treatment of Christians during the previous administration.

According to Fani-Kayode, Sani told him that he was aware of what he described as plans by El-Rufai that affected both Christian and Muslim communities in Kaduna.

Fani-Kayode further alleged that El-Rufai’s former deputy, Barnabas Bala Bantex, was subjected to insults because of his religious identity during cabinet meetings.

“There are so many things that he told me, but I’ll just leave it at that,” Fani-Kayode said.

The former minister described Sani’s emergence as governor as an opportunity to address what he characterised as injustices from the previous administration.

He also claimed that some Muslims opposed El-Rufai over comments and policies attributed to him, noting that he had previously criticised the former governor despite being a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Fani-Kayode stressed that religious and moral considerations should take precedence over political interests.

“There’s something that comes before politics, comes before anything, and that is God, because it is God that gives you everything else,” he said.