Despite widespread hardship in the country, immediate past Kaduna State governor, Nasir el-Rufai, says the President Bola Tinubu-led federal Government is changing Nigeria for the good of all.

Speaking at the launch of an autobiography and retirement programme of Ishaq Akintola, a professor at the Lagos State University (LASU), El-Rufai noted that the culture of citizens-centred governance should be encouraged in the country to drive even development.

El-Rufai, who was the keynote speaker and awardee at the event, said Tinubu’s administration is on the right path to make Nigeria work with its decisions so far.

The APC chieftain noted that the sound footing with which the administration started has deflated those who did not see any good in the same faith ticket.

“As a people, the earlier we distil ourselves from the primordial ethnoreligious perception of things, especially as it concerns national leadership, the better for us,” El-Rufai said

“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 to build a society where no one should be discriminated upon based on ethnic nationality, religion or political leaning.

El-Rufai stated that as members of the two major religious groups in Nigeria, citizens who find themselves in public positions should ensure they practice the basic principles of leadership as guided by their faiths.

The former governor noted that both Islam and Christianity espouse the culture of good leadership, but some individuals tend to do that which is at variance with the scriptures.

Recall that Akintola recently retired from the university after attaining the statutory age of 70.