Former Governor Nasir el-Rufai of Kaduna state has emphasized the importance of citizens-centered governance in driving equitable development in Nigeria.
El-Rufai shared his views during the launch of Professor Ishaq Akintola’s autobiography and retirement program at the Lagos State University (LASU) on Sunday.
Professor Akintola, who recently retired from LASU after reaching the mandatory retirement age of 70, was honored at the event. As the keynote speaker and recipient of an award, Rufai commended the administration of Bola Tinubu, stating that it is steering Nigeria in the right direction through its decisions thus far.
El-Rufai praised the administration for establishing a solid foundation that has undermined the credibility of critics who doubted the potential of a government formed through a shared faith ticket. He expressed his belief that Nigeria should move away from divisive ethnoreligious perceptions, particularly concerning national leadership.
According to el-Rufai, the present administration’s ability to effect positive change within a short period demonstrates that leadership should be based on merit rather than entitlement.
“As a people, the earlier we distill ourselves from the primordial ethnoreligious perception of things, especially as it concerns national leadership, the better for us,” he said
“The way with which the present administration at the center is changing things for the common good of the Nigerian people within a short period shows that leadership should be hinged on merit and not entitlement basis.
“We must de-emphasize religion and ethnic coloration for us to build a society where no one should be discriminated against on the basis of ethnic nationality, religion or political leaning.
“As members of the two major religious groups in the country, if we find ourselves in public positions, we should ensure we practice the basic principles of leadership as encapsulated in both Christian and Islamic religions.
“Both religions espouse the culture of good leadership, but some individual persons tend to do that which is at variance with the scriptures.”
El-Rufai also highlighted the negative consequences of past leadership choices based on entitlement in Kaduna. He acknowledged that such choices had led to prolonged crises in the state. However, he expressed optimism about recent changes that have altered the traditional approach to leadership selection, leading to positive outcomes in Kaduna.
El-Rufai’s remarks shed light on the importance of citizens-centered governance, the need for merit-based leadership, and the significance of transcending ethnic and religious divisions in Nigeria.
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