Governor Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State said that what Nigeria needed at this moment was a detribalised leader with a large heart to accommodate the diverse interests of the people.
Tambuwal stated this when the Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Reverend Ayokunle Samson Olasupo, paid him a courtesy visit at the Government House in Sokoto.
In a statement by Tambuwal’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Muhammad Bello, the governor argued that no one or group of people, no matter their religious affiliation or tribe could arrogate the leadership of Nigeria to themselves to the exclusion of other parts of the country.
Tambuwal noted that the leadership of the country was mutually complementary, adding that Nigeria belonged to every Nigerian and that no one would send anyone out of the country hence the need to remain together for the betterment of the country.
Tambuwal said that the kind of leadership the country needed would understand the issues of diversities, adding that he would be inclusive in his approach to governance, without tribal or religious sentiments.
He said, for instance, that both Islam and Christianity had been coexisting even before the union of the country came into existence, adding: “those who know history said Christianity and Islam belong to the same root.”
He explained that “Jerusalem and Damascus” were examples of places where the two religions were being practised side by side.
Read him further: ”There is need for us to continue practising the teaching of the two religions as ordained by God.
“If we go by the real teachings of the two religions, there wouldn’t be friction or any reason to fight one another.”
He commended the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, and the CAN President for their efforts in preaching peace and unity in the country.
He said that Sokoto State was home to every Nigerian, irrespective of religious, tribal, or ethnic differences.
He stated that in pursuance of this objective of unity, children of other Nigerians resident in the state who attended public schools were exempted from paying fees just as the indigenes of the state enjoyed free education.
Tambuwal also added that in the area of health too, “the state government’s Zakkat and Waqaf Commission pays the medical bills of indigent Nigerians resident in the stateside by side those of the less-privileged state indigenes.”
In his remarks, the CAN President, Olasupo said he was in the state to interact with the Sultanate, the government, and the people of Sokoto State to find ways to overcome the security challenges facing the country.
Calling on Muslims and Christians to live in harmony, Olasupo condoled with the people of the state over the loss of lives occasioned by the unfortunate incident of bandits’ attacks in some communities of the state.
He expressed appreciation to the state government for its giant stride in providing security in the state.
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