The All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Kaduna State, Malam Nasir El-Rufai on Monday vowed to tackle the killings occurring in Southern Kaduna and Birnin Gwari areas of the state.

El-Rufai explained that an APC government would protect the people and pursue and crush the killers.

His media assistant, Samuel Aruwan said in a statement made available to newsmen in Kaduna.

He added that the people of the state deserve government that would actually provide maximum security and not propaganda for election purposes.

He also explained that, jobs would be created through the utilisation of natural resources and agricultural products that abound in the state.

El-Rufai said the cultivation, processing and marketing of ginger, which abounds in Southern Kaduna, can employ up to 500,000 persons. Similarly, shea butter from Birnin Gwari can be organised to be economically viable.

“This is not play or politics, we are here with serious commitment and determination to serve with all sense of honesty, sincerity and fear of God. How can they be killing our people in Southern Kaduna areas like Kaura, Sanga and Birnin Gwari and Giwa without any action? Who are they and where are they coming from? How can these killers be committing such crime without being arrested and prosecuted?

”Something is wrong somewhere, part of which is negligence and insensitivity, we will not tolerate so and by the power of almighty God we will crush them for maximum security and stability in the state,” he said.

On whether he is bothered by religious blackmailagainst his candidature, El-Rufai explained, “By the special grace of God, I am not worried because it is a blessing and has exposed those peddling religious and ethnic blackmail as those short of ideas and manipulating religion for only election purposes and for their personal benefits only.

“No matter their manipulation, the people of Kaduna state have rejected their sinister interest. What the people of Kaduna state need is a government that will be honest and lead with justice to all people irrespective of religion, ethnicity and without sentiment.

“Go and see my record, have I ever compromised merit on religious and ethnic grounds? Is there anyone that I let down because of his or her religion? I am guided by merit and competency and above all social justice as instituted by almighty God.

“They assume that the best way they can stop me is to bring blackmail and lies but the people of Kaduna state will soon confirm to them that this has failed. They are too wise and sound to be manipulated and the rejection of the blackmail has vindicated us

“We will continue to preach peace, harmony and dwell more on issues only without recourse to mundane politicking.”

•Photo shows El-Rufai.