Dr Ahmad Abubakar Gumi on Monday said the sermon of Shiekh Nuru Khalid, the now sacked Chief Imam of Apo Legislative Quarters Mosque, Abuja, is a misplaced judgement “worse than kidnappings.”
Sheikh Khalid has been in the news since he was suspended and sack over his Friday Mosque sermon in which he criticized President Muhammadu Buhari’s government over its failure to tame the escalating insecurity and killings in the country.
The imam also faulted Buhari for failing to visit and console victims affected during the recent Abuja-Kaduna train attack, while also suggesting some measures the electorate should devise should the authorities fail to protect their lives.
He said, “Nigerian masses should resort to only one term which is – protect our lives, we will come out to vote; let us be killed, we will not come out to vote, since it’s only elections that you people know,” he had said.
The mosque committee suspended the Sheikh and subsequently sacked him.
Sheikh Gumi told Post that Sheikh Khalid’s sermon is a “misplaced judgement” because “calling masses not to vote incompetent government is worse than the few kidnappings. It’s a case of sentiments overriding intellect. Calling masses not to vote out incompetent government by massive voting is worse than the few kidnappings, and a misplaced judgment.”
In laying the reasons for the sack of Sheikh Khalid, Senator Saidu Muhammed Dansadau, Chairman of the Mosque committee, in the letter dated April 4, 2022 told Imam Khalid that he had been relived of his duties at the mosque.
“We regret to inform you that from today the 4th day of April 2023 you have been disengaged from the services of the above-mentioned mosque. This action is occasioned by the non-remorseful attitude you exhibited following your suspension on 2nd April this year.”
“Akamakallah, you know better than me by the teaching of Islam, the essence of administering punishment is to correct behavior. Unfortunately, your media reaction to the suspension creates the impression that you are not remorseful, NOT to talk of humbly reflecting on the consequences of your utterances.
“Leadership demands a great sense of responsibility. If our words do more harm than good to larger interest of the country or the public. We have a responsibility to maximum restraint for the good of public.
“It is obvious however , that you don’t seem keen to modify your Friday sermon to be reflective of the votality of security situation in the country.
“You are an influencer; your words carry a lot of weights, you words can make or mar our situation. Your words can be taken advantage of by mischief makers, those responsible for these security challenges or enemies of the country for their devilish agendas.
“As leaders of the mosque we have a sacred responsibility to avoid utterances that are capable of making a bad situation worse. This is our fear and concern.”
