THE committee of the Mosque at Apo Legislative Quarters, Abuja, on Monday sacked its Chief Iman, Sheikh Nuhu Khalid, for his refusal to recant or show remorse for his sermon last Friday which was critical of President Muhammadu Buhari and other leaders over insecurity in the country.
The Apo Legislative Quarters is the official residence of the Senate President, Speaker of the House of Representatives and other federal lawmakers both serving and former as well as other prominent politicians.
In his sermon, the Sheikh Nuhu lamented the security situation and disregard for human lives, said the high level of insecurity in the country is because of the collective failure of the country’s leaders, especially President Muhammadu Buhari.
He blamed the ruling class for only being concerned about securing the votes of the people, further criticising them for paying lip service to securing the lives and property of Nigerians.
He excoriated President Buhari for failing to keep his campaign promises of securing the lives of Nigerians. “We have your video telling Nigerians that the military is capable. It has all the requirements to tackle this insurgency and if you are voted into power, you are going to make sure that happens in a short time. You have been given four years and an addition, yet people are dying like fowls, killing is becoming the norm in Nigeria under your watch, Mr President.
“If there is no Nigerian to tell you, I will take the responsibility of telling you and I will take the responsibility of telling you and I will take the responsibility for the consequences because the lives and properties of Nigerians are above all.
“Let me tell you, Mr President, under your watch, bandits are demanding, are taxing Nigerians — is that the provision of the constitution of Nigeria. Under the constitution of Nigeria, no one has the right to tax any Nigerian except being authorised by the federal government.
The Mosque’s committee, chaired by Senator Saidu Muhammed Dansadau, initially suspended Sheikh Nuhu accusing him of inciting public outrage by preaching against President Buhari and his government.
“I am informing you that you have been suspended from leading prayers in the Apo Legislative Quarters Mosque from today being April 2nd, 2022 until further notice,” the suspension letter reads.
However, the Imam said he was not given fair hearing, adding that he only read about his suspension. He however stood by his words and refused to recant his criticism of the ruling class saying he was ready to bear whatever consequences that will follow. “If I cannot voice out, what is the essence of living, then? I have made my mind to sacrifice for that. No going back. I didn’t say any word under duress. I intentionally said it and I meant what I said, and I am ready to bear the consequences.”
Following his courageous stance, Senator Dansadau, in a letter on Monday, April 4, 2022, told Imam Khalid that he had been relieved of his duties at the mosque.
“You are an influencer; your words carry a lot of weight, your 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.
“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 the larger interest of the country or the public. We have a responsibility to maximise restraint for the good of the public. It is obvious however, that you don’t seem keen to modify your Friday sermon to be reflective of the volatility of the security situation in the country,” the letter reads.
