By; AMOS TAUNA, Kaduna
Senator Suleiman Hunkuyi, the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) gubernatorial candidate in Kaduna State, has expressed concerns that candidates are using religious and tribal sentiments to woo electorate in the March 18 governorship election in the state.
He also blasted some religious bodies for endorsing some governorship candidates, describing the scenario as a bad omen to the future of democracy, if not checked, saying that using religion or tribe in a complex state like Kaduna for electioneering is dangerous to democracy.
Speaking to newsmen in Kaduna on Saturday, the gubernatorial candidate advised eligible voters to shun divisive politics and vote for a credible candidate that will move the state forward in all spheres of life.
He explained that he believes in an inclusive government that would carry everybody along irrespective of age, religion and tribe when elected as governor, stressing that it was the only way to ensure sustainable peace in the state.
He believes that it is a plan to deceive the electorate by claims and counterclaims by the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state that their candidates were endorsed by some clerics.
According to him, “I think you are aware of a letter by the Kaduna State’s Christian Association of Nigeria’s chairman, which endorsed the PDP governorship candidate. We also have an audio where some Muslim clergymen have also endorsed the candidate of APC for the governorship election in Kaduna State.”
He wondered where do the people go from where a governor that would emerge after the polls will be tagged a governor for Christians or a governor for Muslims in a metropolitan state like Kaduna.
The gubernatorial candidate appealed to the voters to reject candidates adopting religion or tribal sentiments for purpose of canvassing for votes in the forthcoming election, believing such candidate do not mean well for the people.
He stated that he does not expect any sensible person whether citizen or resident of the state to be carried away by religious and tribal sentiments, saying that with the state known as the centre of learning.
He alleged that he is more experienced and knowledgeable in terms of the complexity of the state than other candidates vying for the position of the governor of the state and dismissed allegations that he was also running on a Muslim-Muslim ticket.
