El-Rufai’s Pilgrimage Ban: Why Sheikh Maraya Claims It Targeted Only Christians

 

​A storm of controversy has erupted in Kaduna State following explosive revelations by Sheikh Haliru Maraya, a prominent cleric and member of the Kaduna State Special Hajj Committee. During a press briefing on Monday, February 23, 2026, the Sheikh alleged that former Governor Malam Nasir El-Rufai’s long-standing ban on pilgrimage sponsorship was "selectively applied," effectively halting Christian trips to Jerusalem while continuing to fund Muslim pilgrimages under disguised classifications. These claims have reignited debates over religious fairness and the "Muslim-Muslim" political legacy that dominated the state’s governance for eight years.

​The "Fiscal Prudence" Facade Exposed

​In 2015, Nasir El-Rufai famously announced an end to the state sponsorship of religious pilgrimages. The move was publicly justified as a measure of fiscal prudence, aimed at reducing the state's overhead costs and managing a burgeoning debt profile. At face value, the policy appeared blind to faith—a universal "belt-tightening" measure for all Kaduna residents.

​However, Sheikh Maraya argues that the implementation told a different story. "While Christian pilgrimage to Jerusalem was effectively halted and the Christian Pilgrims Welfare Agency scrapped, sponsorship for pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia continued under alternative classifications," the Sheikh revealed. He pointed to a "divergence between policy pronouncement and policy implementation" that left the Christian community marginalized for over a decade.

​The Numbers: Officials vs. Sub-Officials

​To back his claims, Sheikh Maraya provided specific data regarding the sponsorship during the El-Rufai era. According to him, approximately 985 pilgrims were sponsored to Saudi Arabia during a period where zero records exist for Christian sponsorship.

​The sponsorship was reportedly hidden behind two categories:

• ​Officials: This included medical personnel, clerics, and administrative staff required to facilitate Hajj operations.
• ​Sub-Officials: Sheikh Maraya described this as "direct government sponsorship" in disguise, covering airfare, accommodation, and allowances for individuals who did not perform official duties.

Category	Muslim Pilgrims (Sourced)	Christian Pilgrims (Sourced)
Official Sponsorship	~730	0
Sub-Official Sponsorship	~255	0
Total Sponsored	985	0

Governor Uba Sani’s "Inclusivity" Pivot

​The timing of these revelations coincides with a major policy shift by the current governor, Senator Uba Sani. Just days ago, Governor Sani ended the 11-year "ban" by approving 50 Christians to embark on a holy pilgrimage to Jerusalem. This move has been widely celebrated by groups like the Christian Forum for Peaceful and United Kaduna (CFPU) as a "bold and just decision" toward rebuilding trust.

​By reinstating the Christian pilgrimage scheme and restoring the orientation programs for intending pilgrims, the current administration is making a visible effort to distance itself from the "exclusionary" label attached to its predecessor. Rev. Ma’aji Bawa, Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Kaduna, noted that this gesture is not a "jamboree" but a spiritual necessity that restores the confidence of Christians in the state government.

​Impact on Kaduna’s Social Fabric

​The legacy of religious politics in Kaduna remains a sensitive subject. Sheikh Maraya’s decision to speak out—as a Muslim cleric—adds significant weight to the allegations of systemic bias. He argued that for true peace to exist, the government must be seen as a father to all, regardless of faith. The scrapping of the Christian Pilgrims Welfare Agency under El-Rufai was seen by many as a symbolic erasure, making the recent revival under Governor Sani a critical step toward social cohesion.

​As Kaduna navigates this new era of "inclusivity," the ghosts of the past eight years continue to haunt the political landscape. For many, the $6.2 million in "hidden" sponsorships is less about the money and more about the perceived lack of equity in a state that has historically struggled with religious tensions.