The Youth Wing of the Christians Association of Nigeria (YOWICAN) in the 19 Northern States, has taken a swipe at the renowned Islamic scholar, Sheikh Ahmed Gumi over his recent inflammatory statement about Christians and FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike.
This is contained in a press statement made available to journalists Wednesday in Yola, signed by Evangelist Musa Misal, Chairman of YOWICAN in the 19 Northern States and the FCT, observing that the failure of the federal government and security agencies to prosecute such clerics is responsible for the escalating hate speech and inciting comments in the country.
“Gumi’s dangerous sermons will only stir unnecessary hatred and pitch Nigerians against one another. We, therefore, join millions of patriotic Nigerians to condemn his action, which is one too many. YOWICAN is particularly worried by this obvious inaction of our security agencies and nonchallant attitude of the government to prosecute such people over their hate speeches capable of causing serious religious crisis in Nigeria,” the statement said.
The group said the seat of FCT minister is not an exclusive preserve of the North or Muslims, adding that Nigeria is a secular state, and therefore, every qualified citizen irrespective of his religious, ethnic or tribal affiliation, is free to hold a stake as long as the constitution of the country is not breached.
Midal further noted that, any attempt to victimise Nyesom Wike along religious line will be resisted, noting that the persecution and politics of subjugation of Christians in the North have been going on for too long that is why these clerics have the gut to come out openly to dish threats to government.
The Christian group expressed confidence in the capacity of Nyesom Wike, who is already transforming the FCT in all facets in less than 100 days in office, to live up to expectations, describing him as leader with good track records of performance in all the offices he has held over the years.
