Outrage Among Nigerians As The Platform Invites El-Rufai To Discuss Devolution Of Powers

Many social media users are protesting the inclusion of Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai in a panel to discuss devolution of powers in Nigeria at The Platform.

The Platform is a popular discussion series that is hosted by the Covenant Christian Center, which is usually held during public holidays such as Independence Day and May Day.

The annual programme hosted by Poju Oyemade of the Covenant Nation, will hold on 1st May 2021 with the theme ‘Is Devolution of Powers the Solution to Nigeria’s Problem?’

El-Rufai will participate in the interactive session alongside Ekiti State Governor, Kayode Fayemi, and his Rivers counterpart, Nyesom Wike, to discuss how “we can move the nation out of this present situation.”

However, the former FCT minister’s participation in the forthcoming event has been faulted due to his alleged abuse of human rights and insecurity ravaging Kaduna.

Since the assumption of office, Governor El-Rufai has been enmeshed in controversies, including proposing a bill restricting religious preaching in Kaduna.

The protesters allege that El-Rufai is a bigot and ethnic jingoist and they are calling on people to boycott the event with the hashtag #BoycottThePlatform.

See some comments below:

NBA distanced itself from the divisive Elrufai, for GOOD REASON. Apart from superintending the killing of Christians in Southern Kaduna, & his “body bags” statement, El-Rufai have no legitimacy being among a congregation of brethrens. We are unequally yoked!!#BoycottThePlatform

— NEFERTITI (@firstladyship) April 29, 2021

https://twitter.com/cremechic11/status/1387706688917094407?s=20

https://twitter.com/cremechic11/status/1387704599776215041?s=20

https://twitter.com/cremechic11/status/1387703696683937800?s=20

This is the guy they are inviting to #ThePlatform?

Tomorrow, they'll say "he was a teenager when he composed this tweet".

I support #BoycottThePlatform pic.twitter.com/5ptbliveyH

— Onye Nkuzi (@cchukudebelu) April 29, 2021

https://twitter.com/cremechic11/status/1387706688917094407?s=20

I endorse #BoycottThePlatform.
We must be deliberate about leadership and our future going forward.

Dear @pastorpoju, if we fellowship with evil, can we pray for the grace of GOD to abound?

A Bigot on The only Platform is a conversation taken too far. #BoycottThePlatform https://t.co/euxoHWP0dF

— Sir. Ariyo-Dare Atoye (@AriyoAristotle) April 29, 2021

#BoycottThePlatform
How will el rufai who said this be invited to speak in a Christian gathering. Can the Christian organizers talk about the other religion and go and speak their gathering? pic.twitter.com/dMr4T8MQ97

— xmen (@_anubankz) April 29, 2021

Nasir El-Rufai is not morally fit to stand on the podium where Christians are gathered. Not after denying Southern Kaduna Christians, the deputy governor’s position. @pastorpoju, we are disappointed. #BoycottThePlatform

— Thεό Abu (@TheoAbuAgada) April 29, 2021

This is Nasir El-Rufai, justifying the Muslim-Muslim ticket in Kaduna.

67% of Southern Kaduna Christians say they’d not vote for you because of your bigotry, what effort did you make to assuage their fears? A Muslim-Muslim ticket.

Well done Mallam. 👍 #BoycottThePlatform pic.twitter.com/i1pcLzkrcF

— Thεό Abu (@TheoAbuAgada) April 29, 2021

https://twitter.com/cremechic11/status/1387707948227571717?s=20

Dear @pastorpoju ,if the NIgerian Bar Association could rescind the invitation for @elrufai a well known purveyor of hate and violence with unbidden hate towards Christians I see no reason why the Church of Jesus Christ should have him on their stage #BoycottThePlatform pic.twitter.com/NXtPvlTaKp

— very Nigerian (@verynigeriangal) April 29, 2021

I support the #BoycottThePlatform movement.

Asides from El Rufai who definitely should not be present atall, the other speakers are part of the problem we are facing now as a nation.

The platform is known for bringing though leaders and credible people so what changed?? pic.twitter.com/CYmW1b6ioX

— Elder Seun (@iamseunalaofin) April 29, 2021

KanyiDaily recalls that in August 2020 the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) withdrew an invitation that it had extended to Governor El-Rufai to speak at it’s annual conference after people called for a boycott of the conference.