A former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, on Sunday, said that a recent change in the old tradition of leadership choice had changed things for the better in the state.
DAILY NIGERIAN reports that during his tenure as Kaduna governor, Mr El-Rufai had jettisoned the long-established tradition of choosing a Christian as deputy governor from the southern part of the state.
His successor, Uba Sani, has also followed suit.
Speaking at the launch of an autobiography and retirement programme of Prof. Ishaq Akintola, in Lagos, Mr El-Rufai regretted that leadership choice based on entitlement in Kaduna State plunged the state into a protracted crisis in the bygone years.
According to him, the culture of citizens centred governance should be encouraged in the country, to drive even development.
Mr El-rufai, who was the keynote speaker and awardee at the programme, said with the present political advancement of the country, any political mobilisation based on ethnic or religious leaning was bound to fail.
He said that the enthronment of Tinubu-Shettima was a repeat of Abiola-Kingibe feat.
According to him the sound-footing with which the Tinubu leadership was going had deflected the ranks of those that did not see any good in the same faith ticket that propelled them to power.
“As a people, the earlier we distill ourselves from the primordial ethno-religious perception of things, especially as it concerns national leadership, the better for us.
“The way with which the present administration at the centre is changing things for the common good of the Nigerian people within a short period shows that leadership should be hinged on merit and not entitlement basis.
“We must de-emphasise religion and ethnic colouration for us to build a society where no one should be discriminated upon on the basis of ethic nationality, religion or political leaning.
“As members of the two major religious group in the country, if we find ourselves in public positions, we should ensure we practice the basic principles of leadership as encapsulated in both Christian and Islamic religion.
“Both religions espoused the culture of good leadership, but some individual persons tend to do that which is at variance with the scriptures,” he said.