However, while reacting in Kaduna during a press conference, the Ulamas faulted the non-confirmation of El-Rufai, saying some individuals who are jittery over El-Rufai's appointment and towering political profile are behind his ordeal.

According to the Deputy Chairman of the Council of Imams and Ulamas, Imam Muhammad Kasshim, the former governor was not confirmed as a result of mere politics of vendetta and abuse of power by some people.

According to him, it was wrong for the security agencies to have relied on a petition by a Shiite group not to confirm El-Rufai, adding that the Shiite group has been proscribed by the Federal Government, hence their petition should not hold water.

The Ulamas described the petitions against El-Rufai by Shiites and some others as outrageous and unfounded and urged the Senate to ignore the unfounded allegations against the former Governor and confirm him based on his competency and contribution to the success of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the last election.