GPF hits Adamawa Muslim Council chair over unfair censorship
The Gongola Peoples Forum (GPF) has in a strong worded rebuttal excoriated the chairmen of Adamawa State Muslim Council, Alh. Gambo Jika over unfair censorship of its stakeholders meeting which took place in Yola about two months ago.
In a press release signed by Patrick Anyom for GPF media team, the forum noted with concern how Jika twisted the forums narratives in order to give it a religious slant and colouration.
Related news
Adamawa Muslim council chair blasts organizers of Gongola elders forum
Fictitious Middle-Belt, A Rot To Rwanda
Fintiri ditches Bashir Ahmed, appoints Awwal Tukur as new Adamawa SSG, 2 others
It may be recalled that the Muslim council chairman has during the Islamic calendar presentation and General meeting of the organization took a swipe at the GPF for hiding under the cloak of unionism to champion religious and ethnic causes in the state.
The chairman warned that Muslims have the influence, wherewithal and the courage to subdue any group which seeks to use ethnicity or religion to muscle Muslims in the state.
But reacting to the position, the GPF said its resolve to champion the cause of the Gongola Peoples remain sacrosanct and non-negotiable whoever ox is gored.
“Ordinarily, GPF wouldn’t want to join issues with anyone especially on religion which in our country rather than help has continued to play a divisive role in the life of our diversity which defines our polity as a state or nation.
“But in all fairness, we are constrained to do this, one, out of respect for our fight to unite the peoples of Gongola origin with a cardinal goal to create a state where justice and equity are shared values for all irrespective of whether you’re a minority or a majority.
“Two, we are further constrained to tow this line because of the unfortunate comment of the chairman of our brothers in the Muslim council, Alhaji Jika who for whatever reason chose to see our peace effort to evolve a just and united society from a religious lens to achieve his cheap political capital!
“To advance this motive, Alhaji Jika deliberately latched on our recent Grand reception to honour sons and daughters of the land to create an atmosphere of affective fallacy platformed on religion to further deepen our fault lines.
“Jika chose his occasion well to selfishly affect the sensibilities of the generality of our Muslim ummah while addressing them during the Islamic calendar year significance. He told them that GPF is a Christian organization out to displace Muslims from power in the state, and raised a battle cry throwing caution to the wind.
“Jika said Muslims are ready and “1979 will never happen again!” Meaning, political leadership of the state can’t ever be won by a Gongola indigene as was the case in 1979!
“Jika’s 1979 never again declaration is the biggest prove that he is not speaking for our Muslim brothers and sisters in the GPF but seeking to divide the state along religious lines because the person who was elected gov in 1979 in the then Gongola state was Alhaji Barde, a Muslim not a Christian.
“Of course, Christians overwhelmingly voted Barde. And of course, Barde was a Muslim minority and that’s actually Jika’s grouse. Jika wants Muslim minorities but not in leadership position in the state, he simply wants them as canon fodders or what Chess players call pawns to protect the King. Is Jika all about protecting the Fulani domination in the state?
“It took Jika two months to come up with his vicious attack on GPF, an ethnic nationalities’ socio-cultural association made up Muslims and christians. Well, Jika, 2023 was 1979 to refresh your memory.
“May be you don’t understand that Gov Fintiri is a minority Muslim from Marghi ethnic nationality. So, this union of Muslims and Christians of ethnic nationalities has been on for decades and GPF is only consolidating on the grains of our heros past.
‘For 2027, we in GPF believe that leadership is from God and not from man so your divisive propaganda is your burden not ours. In GPF, we believe God will continue to give us leaders that love our people and duly pass the test of majority of our people, leaders who do not come through political domination or feudal throw up!
“We in GPF are not against Muslims being in leadership and our Muslim brothers in GPF know this. They also are not against Christians being in leadership position in the state and you can’t sway them against their blood relations because of your feudal posturing.
“Your attempt to create a religious wall for political gain failed on arrival to quote you. One thing that we want you to know is GPF doesn’t believe in politics of domination. Chair, we are a democracy, democracy doesn’t practice religion, its tenets subsist on secularity and rule of law. That’s where we stand,” the statement said.
