The Kaduna State Governor, Malam Nasir El-Rufai has explained that, in choosing Dr. Hadiza Balarabe, a fellow muslim, as his running mate, he had considered her competence and antecedents above religion and ethnicity.
El-Rufai spoke at the Government House, Kaduna on Tuesday while hosting people of Sanga local government where Dr. Balarabe hails from, who came to pay him a ‘thank you’ visit over the choice of their daughter as running mate.
The governor took time to narrate the process that led to the choice of Dr. Hadiza Balarabe, which has drawn flakes from the Christian community, who see the decision as insensitive to the secularity of the state.
El-Rufai said, “About a year ago, the Deputy Governor, Architect Barnabas Yusuf Bala told me he was going to contest for Senate, I was in dilemma to get a replacement for Architect Barnabas.
“So, we started piling list of people for consideration, and I had up to 32 names, including names of some people seated with me here today.
“Then, we started selection and dropping of names based on merit. From 32 names to 17 to 12 and then 5 names, three males and two females.”
He further explained how he tried to get in touch with Balarabe, which was the next challenge for him, since he didn’t have Dr. Balarabe’s number and that it was his third wife that gave it to him.
He said when he eventually called her on the line, she said she was in Kenya, and he then told her that she will be his running mate in the 2019 elections and asked her whether she accepts the offer.
“She did not give an answer immediately, but called me back after some minutes and said she accepted,” the governor explained.
He said after making the choice, many respected persons called to tell him that he made the right choice as Dr. Balarabe was hard working and competent.
The governor added, ”From the beginning, I had told my team that, I will never choose or deny anyone appointment because of religion or ethnicity.”
While speaking on Dr. Balarabe’s giant strides in her previous assignment, El-Rufai said his running mate had repositioned the state primary healthcare development agency where she was Executive Secretary.
Earlier, the Sanga people said the appointment of their daughter, Dr. Hadiza Balarabe as the running mate to governor El-rufai for the 2019 election had given them hope that they actually belonged to the affairs of governance.
Speaking on behalf of the community, the traditional ruler of Numana, Etu Numana, Brigadier-General Aliyu Yamma (Rtd), said over the years, the successive government had forgotten the people of the area as far as participation in government was concerned.
The traditional ruler noted, “The governor couldn’t have made a better choice than the selection of Hadiza. We now feel a sense of belonging in Kaduna government. We are just like black Americans in Kaduna State.”
He also appealed to governor El-rufai to ensure the establishment of Army Battalion in Sabo Gida village area of the local government because of insecurity in the area.
He said, “Sabo Gida has become a hideout for criminals, these criminals run from Plateau State to hide here, so we are calling on the governor to help us with the establishment of Army Battalion in Sabo Gida.”
