Sheikh Ahmad Gumi recently criticised the minister of the federal capital territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, for hosting the Ambassador of Israel in his office....For More CONTINUE THE FULL READING▶▶
In a 14-minute sermon posted on his official Facebook page last Thursday, Gumi labelled Wike as “satanic” for receiving the Israeli Ambassador to Nigeria.
MURIC has waded into the matter and said Sheikh Gumi has the right to self-expression as guaranteed by the Nigerian Constitution
Legit.ng journalist Ridwan Adeola Yusuf has over 6-year-experience covering current affairs in Nigeria.
FCT, Abuja – A rights group, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), has said most responders to Sheikh Ahmad Gumi were propelled by emotion, not by the facts on the ground.
Although Gumi came under attack from several quarters over his comments, MURIC has risen to the defence of the preacher.
MURIC said its opinion is based on the antecedents of Wike, “because there is no smoke without fire”.
This was disclosed in a statement issued on Wednesday, October 25, 2023, by MURIC’s Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola.
The full statement reads:
“Gumi’s comment has been taken in isolation as if the Shaykh just woke up from sleep and started talking. Something must have prompted him. Why didn’t he tackle any other minister? Why Wike alone among all other ministers? Gumi’s comments on Wike should be assessed against the backdrop of Wike’s actions and spoken words if we want to be objective.
“The truth is that Wike is not innocent. He has been garrulous. He has also been too visibly anti-Muslim. As the governor of Rivers State, Wike demolished a mosque in Port Harcourt against all pleas.
“Again, Wike declared Rivers State a Christian State. This was done in blatant violation of Section 10 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria which states very clearly: ‘The Government of the Federation or of a State shall not adopt any religion as State religion.’
“No sooner than Wike became the minister of the Federal Capital Territory than he announced that he intended to hand over the security of the all-important territory to Israel. MURIC saw the danger in this and warned the minister.
“But Wike ignored the warning and went ahead to invite the ambassador of Israel to his office. That was an arrogant display of power as well as a manifestation of gross insensitivity. Wike is aware that anything that has to do with Israel is volatile.
Israel is a controversial country and Nigerians will not touch it with a long pole. Israel is killing thousands of children and pregnant women while it flagrantly violates international laws and ignores resolutions of the United Nations. How can Wike be so insensitive?
“That office does not belong to Wike personally. He occupies it in trust. But by inviting the Israeli ambassador there at a time Israel is committing war crimes and Nigerians are demonstrating against that apartheid state, Wike has abused the trust given to him by the Nigerian Senate representing the good people of Nigeria That invitation sent the wrong signals to the international community as Nigeria’s official endorsement of Israel’s atrocities.”
“Wike’s invitation to the Israeli ambassador was ultra vires. He should leave that to the minister of foreign affairs. He should desist from intruding into the jurisdictions of other ministers and bullying every other official in Abuja. Wike can invite the ambassador of Israel to his personal house but not to his office.
“Unfortunately it is when a Muslim speaks that merchants of hate suspend the principles of freedom of speech. When others utter hate-filled scud missiles at Muslims they call it free speech. It is the age of double standards. Fairness and justice have taken leave of the entire world. Might is right.”.…CONTINUE.FULL.READING>>>
