Despite being listed as speaker, Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai on Saturday was not part of the 2021 edition of The Platform, an annual conference organised by the senior pastor of the Covenant Christian Centre, Lagos, Poju Oyemade.
The programme themed, ‘Is Devolution of Powers The Solution To Nigeria’s Problems’ featured speakers including Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi; and bishop of Sokoto Catholic Diocese Matthew Kukah.
El-Rufai’s absence at the event is believed to be linked to the public outrage which greeted his inclusion.
The governor is being haunted by past comments which many found anti-Christian.
His alleged anti-human rights record and inability to stop the killings particularly in southern Kaduna forced him to be delisted as speaker from the Nigerian Bar Association’s national conference last year.
Oyemade did not give any reason why El-Rufai was not present at the event.
He, however, tweeted to express appreciation for the success of the event.
“I thank God for the success of The Platform,” he wrote.
“#theplatformng trended at number one on twitter with other related hashtags of the different speakers trending in the top ten at the same time.
“Very impactful and most importantly opportunities for new expressions unleashed.”
Others who spoke at the event are former minister of aviation, Osita Chidoka; and ex-president of the Nigerian Bar Association, Olisa Agbakoba among others.
