From all indication, it does appear that the government in Nigeria has declared an all-out-war against anybody that would dare criticize the government as news reaching us has it that the Chief Imam of Apo Legislative Quarters Mosque, Shiekh Nuru Khalid, has been sacked for delivering a sermon that criticised the government over killings in Nigeria.
Recall that the Imam was first suspended by the Steering Committee of the mosque on Saturday, a development may believe were under the table machination of the government of President Muhammadu Buhari government who are hiding under the ‘Mosque Committee’ to deal with the Muslim cleric. But the chairman of the mosque committee, Senator Saidu Dansadau, announced on Monday that Khalid’s suspension had been upgraded to sack.
He said that Khalid was sacked for not being remorseful despite his suspension as the Imam of the mosque This is despite the public outcry that Khalid should be reinstated. Khalid had, in his sermon, lambasted the government for its inability to effectively tackle the country’s security situation.
During the preaching, the fearless preacher called on the electorate not to vote for any politician who cannot guarantee the safety of lives and properties. In the statement confirming Khalid’s suspension, the mosque committee said the sanction was due to his call for Muslims not to vote unless questions had been answered. The committee also described the cleric’s stand as “un-Islamic”.
It said in a statement, “I would like to inform you that you have been suspended from the Imamship of the Parliamentary Mosque in Apo Abuja area from today April 2, 2022, until further notice,” the statement reads, adding, “This step was taken because of the provocative Friday sermon on April 1, 2022, where you advised people not to vote in 2023 until the politicians answer some questions.”
