YOWICAN berates Gumi, others over attack on FCT minister, Wike
The caucus of the Youth Wing of Christian Association of Nigeria (YOWICAN) in the 19 Northern states of Nigeria has condemn in the strongest term what it called unwarranted hate speeches against christians by Sheikh Ahmed Gumi and some Clerics especially in this month of October 2023.
A statement signed by Evang. Musa D Misal, YOWICAN Chairman of 19 Northern States and FCT noted that such unwarranted attack represents the height of their campaign of calumny adding that it is a misnomer for such people to call on President Bola Tinubu to fire the honorable minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, who they say is not worthy of holding the position of FCT Minister because he is a Christian and the office should be an exclusive preserve of Northern Muslims.
“Such terrible audacity is annoyingly laughable in a country like Nigeria.
The provocating comments made by Sheikh Gumi during a sermon on 14th October in Kaduna where he didn’t just call for the sack of the FCT Minister but went ahead to malign both Muslims and Christians who campaigned and voted for the Muslim-Muslim ticket in the 2023 Presidential election that brought in the Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration.
“Very worrisome was his divisive comments on the security of the Nation where he stated that it is dangerous to leave national security in the hands of Christians or southerners.
This is uncalled for in a secular and democratic state like Nigeria.
They are getting it all wrong.
“Sheikh Gumi and his bandwagon by so doing have clearly displayed their bigotry; attacking the diplomatic relationship Nigeria has with the State of Israel is a waste of time.
The same clerics see nothing wrong with the Nigeria-Saudi Arabia relationship.
“Gumi’s dangerous sermons would only stir unnecessary hatred and pitch Nigerians against each other. We therefore, join millions of patriotic Nigerians in condemning his actions which is now one too many.
“YOWICAN is particularly worried by the obvious inaction of our security agencies and nonchalant attitude of the government to prosecute such people over their actions that is capable of causing serious religious crises in Nigeria.
“We expect the leadership of this country to show them that no one is above the law so as to curb hate speeches, inflammatory sermons or political statements.
“Let these hostile clerics be reminded that Nigeria is a secular state and as such, every qualified citizen, irrespective of religious,ethnic or social affiliation is free to hold a stake, as far as our constitution is not jeopardized.
“The unguarded utterances by Sheikh Gumi and his cohorts on the status of the Minister of FCT, is illogical, primitive and a joke taken too far. YOWICAN wish to make it categorically clear that any attempt to victimize Barr Wike along religious lines will be totally resisted.
“The persecution and politics of subjugation of Christians in northern Nigeria has been going on for too long and almost unhindered that’s why these clerics have the guts to come out openly to be dishing out threats to Government at all strata and intimidating innocent citizens.
“We want Nigerians to know that it is the utterances and actions of such elites in the North that caused the uproar against the same faith ticket of President Tinubu because we know what our members are already facing even with a Christian on the presidential ticket.
“Gentlemen of the Press, we wish to use this medium to appeal to Mr President to ensure that his administration will thrive to ensure that the rule of law is promoted at all times and Nigerians are all treated fairly where dividends of democracy is equitably shared irrespective of our religious,ethnic or geo-political differences. This will indeed engender unity and promote good governance in Nigeria.
“Finally, may we use this opportunity to call on fellow Nigerians to discountenance calls for the removal of the FCT Minister, just because he is a Christian.
“YOWICAN has absolute confidence in the leadership capacity of His Excellency Nyesom Wike who is already transforming Abuja in all facets with less than 100days in office. He is a Nigerian leader with great track record of performance in all the positions he has held in over 2 decades. We encourage him to remain focused and resolute in the discharge of the mandate given to him by President Tinubu.
“We pray for unity,love,peace and progress of Nigeria so that we can all live together happily as brothers and sisters irrespective of our religion,tribe or social status,” the statement said.
