The Kaduna State Deputy Governorship APC aspirant, Jerry Adams, has called for sustained unity, mutual understanding and peaceful coexistence among Nigerians, irrespective of their ethnic and religious backgrounds.
He made the call while addressing a group of Islamic scholars under the Arewa for Asiwaju group in Kaduna on Tuesday.
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Adams said he felt at home among the religious leaders, noting that most of those who supported his rise to positions of responsibility were Muslims who never considered his ethnic or religious background.
He cited several instances in which Muslims supported his appointments to positions of responsibility despite opposition from some quarters.
Adams recalled that while serving as Executive Chairman of the Kaduna State Board of Internal Revenue, he introduced reforms and provided facilities for Muslim worshippers, including an ablution area and public toilets at the agency’s mosque.
He said his professional engagements in Yola, Taraba and Gombe also demonstrated that effective leadership and service delivery should transcend ethnic and religious differences.
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According to him, people he worked with in those locations appreciated his contributions and expressed reluctance to see him leave because of his commitment to serving everyone without discrimination.
The APC aspirant regretted attempts by some individuals to blackmail him over his support for Muslim minorities in his hometown of Manchok.
He maintained that such experiences had not changed his commitment to promoting peaceful coexistence, explaining that he had supported the provision of boreholes, contributed to churches and mosques, and assisted individuals irrespective of their religious beliefs.
Adams thanked the Islamic scholars for their engagement and assured them that he would remain committed to promoting unity, understanding and mutual respect among the people of Kaduna State.
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Speaking on behalf of the scholars, the Senior Special Assistant to the Kaduna State Governor on the Bureau for Interfaith, Dr Awwal Assudani, appreciated Adams for his contributions to interfaith harmony.
He also conveyed the support and goodwill of the Muslim community, assuring Adams of their continued solidarity.