Amidst calls for political parties to shun the controversial Muslim-Muslim presidential tickets ahead of the 2023 presidential election, Governor Nasir El-Rufai caused outrage by demolishing a church structure in Kaduna State.
Religion Nigeria gathered that the demolition of a Chapel of the Christian Community in Kaduna State University was carried out on June 6, a day after the gruesome killing of Catholics at the St. Francis Catholic Church in Owo, Ondo State, by unknown gunmen.
Reports revealed that the Christian Community had been without a chapel for over 17 years but as the construction of the chapel began, it was demolished by the El-Rufai-led Kaduna government.
It was gathered that operatives of the police and Nigerian Army seized the phones of the lecturers at the site while demolishing the church under construction.
The demolition has attracted backlashes from some Christians on social media as one user, James Obogo said, “The Lord God of host shall bring down this government that is out to annihilate Christians and Christianity in Jesus’ mighty name amen.”
Another user identified as Gambo D Duggang added, “I refuse to be the LAST CHRISTIAN in this nation in Christ’s Name, so help me O Lord. OUR SALVATION IS NEARER THAN before, VICTORY IS OURS.”
This is just as Patricia Uche Uraih noted, “Elijah prayed and fire from above consumed the enemies of God. Where are all the General Overseers? It’s it only to tell us the miracles you are doing? Why can’t you all gather together and pray down fire on God’s enemies? That’s the miracle we need in our country now. Be like Esther and say if we die we die.”
Joan Dabels also commented thus: “They can demolish the building but will never stop our faith, cos it’s in the heart.”
Religion Nigeria reports that El-Rufai is one of the contenders for the slot of the All Progressives Congress’ vice president for the party’s presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
While giving his take on the debate, El-Rufai said he is the wrong person for anybody to ask questions about the controversial ticket but described critics warning Tinubu against settling for the move as being pathetic.
“I don’t look at people from Muslim-Muslim or Christian-Christian angle. Most of my closest friends are Christians.
“I’m the wrong person to ask because, in my State, I picked a very competent and qualified woman as a running mate in the 2019 election, but just because she happens to be a Muslim, people were calling it ‘Muslim-Muslim ticket’ and they said we were going to lose, but we won overwhelmingly.”
Meanwhile, the Christian Association of Nigeria has kicked against the consideration of a Muslim-Muslim ticket in next year’s presidential election.
“The candidate who will emerge is the one who works with the Church. Please, do not alienate the church.
“If you embrace equity, fairness and justice, the Nigerian electorate will reward you with their votes at the polls and they will give you their support.”