Governor of Kaduna State, Nasiru El-Rufai, has dared Jama’atul Nasril Islam (JNI) by cancelling the annual Ramadan “Welfare” package to Muslims in the state.

Governor El-Rufai stated this on Friday, at the Government House chamber in Kaduna when he received leadership of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and JNI in Kaduna State.

He said his government cannot continue with the structure of sharing the state resources like it inherited from the past government.

‎The governor cautioned that if his government continues in such direction, the administration would only exist to pay salaries allowances.

Responding to CAN Chairman, Bishop George Dodo’s speech where he had asked him not to forget his campaign promises, El-Rufai said he had not forgotten his promises to the people of Kaduna State, but that they have inherited a structure which they are striving to change.

“This beautiful office complex we are inn mow, cost the government about N10 billion. Me and my partner, the Deputy Governor would not have built this, when there are many masses oriented projects yet to be executed, but it has been built, we have to use.

“I have also been made to understand that, this Ramadan period, we are supposed to have started sharing rice, milk and sugar, but we will not do that.‎ One, the government is not supposed to be involved in religious activities. Two, the government is broke.

“So, we solicit for your prayers to be able to stabilise the situation and we hope that things will improve,” he said.

Previous administrations distributed rice, millet, vegetable oil, milk, sugar and some essential commodities to Muslims and also host religious as well as group to Ramadan Breakfast.

Responding to the earlier call for the return of missionary schools to the churches, El-Rufai said, the government cannot return the schools and still continue funding them.

While promising to set up a committee ‎to look into the matter, he pointed out that ownership is not what matters most but quality education and equal opportunity to every child.

Earlier, the JNI delegation led by Alhaji Ibrahim Kufena offered a special prayer for the success of El-Rufai's administration and assured the government of ‎JNI’s readiness to assist government in maintenance of peace at all times.

•Photo shows Governor El-Rufai.

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