The Coalition of Quranic Memorisers and Reciters has issued an urgent appeal to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, urging him not to proceed with the swearing-in of former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, as a minister. The coalition, through the Director of Education of the Sheikh Dahiru Usman Bauchi Foundation, Sheikh Sidi Aliyu Sise, expressed concerns about the implications of El-Rufai’s nomination and subsequent screening by the National Assembly, emphasizing the need for justice, fairness, and the stability of the nation.
Addressing journalists in Bauchi, Sheikh Sidi Aliyu Sise emphasized that President Tinubu should approach this decision with careful consideration, keeping in mind the principles of justice and the character of the individuals who hold public office. He conveyed the coalition’s concerns about the potential negative impact of swearing in politicians with questionable character traits, especially in a society where the values of fairness and justice are highly regarded.
The cleric highlighted the perspective of the Quranic memorisers and reciters, stating that El-Rufai’s nomination and his actions as the former governor of Kaduna State were seen as unjust and oppressive by this group. The coalition particularly pointed to El-Rufai’s alleged mistreatment of Almajirai (Quranic school pupils), including the evacuation of pupils from the House of Maulana Sheikh Dahiru Usman Bauchi in Kaduna during his tenure as governor.
Sheikh Sidi Aliyu Sise further stated, “We demand for justice as a result of injustice, harassment, trauma, and difficulties encountered by our disciples, teachers and many Qur’anic Scholars, when he evacuated our innocent pupils from the House of Maulana Sheikh Dahiru Usman Bauchi in Kaduna to unknown destination.”
The coalition’s appeal to President Tinubu reflects their concerns about the potential negative repercussions of swearing in El-Rufai as a minister, particularly considering the alleged injustices and oppression that occurred during his time as governor. They urge President Tinubu to take a principled and careful stance in the interest of justice and the well-being of the nation.
The cleric said, “Now the ball is in the court of Mr President, as Nigerian leader, he should look in to the country with the eyes of Justice, he should look in to the plight of the oppressed, not to succumb to pressure to swear in El-rufa’i a man who oppressed Almajirai under his leadership when he was a governor.”
“We demand for justice as a result of injustice, harassment, trauma, and difficulties encountered by our disciples, teachers and many Qur’anic Scholars, when he evacuated our innocent pupils from the House of Maulana Sheikh Dahiru Usman Bauchi in Kaduna to unknown destination,
“We want to know our offence, that is why we demand for justice from the federal Government because swearing in Elr-ufa’i as minister, we will take it that you are in support of the injustice we suffered in his hand when he was a Governor of Kaduna.
“Now that El-Rufa’i is out of office, we demand for justice rather than for the government to contemplate making him a minister. Any government that prides itself on carrying all along with justice and fairness should not be seen to patronise the likes of the former governor of Kaduna State. We hope that President Tinubu will come out clean on the El-Rufai issue, by ensuring justice to the people he oppressed when he was a Governor, at that time he had immunity and we don’t want to heat the tension in the interest of peace considering the large followers of Maulana Sheikh Dahiru Bauchi,” he added.
