Nasir El-Rufai, the outgoing governor of Kaduna State, has said that merit, not entitlement, should be the basis for Nigerian leadership.
El-Rufai made this statement on Sunday during the Lagos State University (LASU) professor’s autobiography launch and retirement function.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Akintola, who is also the founder of Muslim Rights Concerns (MURIC), retired from LASU after reaching the mandatory retirement age of 70.
El-Rufai, who was the ceremony’s keynote speaker and recipient of an award, pointed out that the strong start of President Tinubu’s administration has weakened the ranks of those opposed to the same-faith ticket.
According to him, leadership should be based on merit rather than entitlement because of how quickly the current administration at the center is altering things for the benefit of all Nigerians.
“To create a society devoid of discrimination based on ethnicity, religion, or political leaning, we must de-emphasize religion and ethnic coloration.
“If we find ourselves in public positions, as members of the two main religious groups in the nation, we should make sure we practice the fundamental principles of leadership as encapsulated in both religions.”
