The Chief Imam of Apo Legislative Quarters mosque in Abuja, Sheikh Muhammad Nuru Khalid, has been suspended after a Friday sermon criticising President Muhammadu Buhari’s handling of insecurity in the country.
It was learnt that the mosque committee suspended the Islamic cleric on Saturday.
In his sermon that went viral on social media, Sheikh Khalid said the president failed to live up to his 2015 campaign promise of ending Boko Haram within a short period of time if elected president.
He equally berated President Buhari for failing to personally visit Kaduna in the aftermath of Monday’s train attack that left no fewer than eight Nigerians dead and 45 hospitalised, even though he visited the state several times while campaigning for the presidency.
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The Apo Legislative Quarters Chief Imam said he was willing to bear the consequences of telling the president how Nigerians were being killed “like fowls” and their properties destroyed under his watch.
The fiery preacher said, “I want to believe that we have all failed.
“I mean I failed as an Imam to teach you that life is sacred. You all failed as parents to teach your children that killing is bad.
“Our community leaders failed; our politicians failed. Governors failed.
“Especially, His Excellency, the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, you have failed us. We have your video telling Nigerians that the military is capable, our military has all the requirements to tackle this insurgency, and if you’re voting into power, you’re going to make sure that happened in a short time.
“You’re given four years and addition, yet people are dying like fowls. Killing is becoming 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 the responsibility of the consequences because the lives and properties of Nigerians is above all.
“Let me tell you, Mr President, under your watch, are demanding and taxing Nigerians. Is that the provision of the constitution of Nigeria?”
Watch videos below:
I stand with Sheikh Nuru Khalid.
— Famous (@Famous_Anfield) April 2, 2022
Another video:
Meanwhile, many Nigerians have condemned the removal of Sheikh Khalid.
Sheikh Muhammad Nuru Khalid has been relieved his position as the chief Imam of Apo Legislative Quarters mosque in Abuja following his Friday sermon criticizing the FG over it's nonchalant attitude towards address insecurity. pic.twitter.com/mtyPtPhYuP
— Aliyu Samba (@Aliyu_samba) April 2, 2022
The suspension of the Imam of Apo Friday Mosque Sheikh Nuru Khalid by the Mosque Steering Committee is unconscionable.His criticisms of the Government reflects the views of most Nigerians.He spoke truth to power at the right time.I urge the committee to reverse the decision.
— Senator Shehu Sani (@ShehuSani) April 2, 2022
Just read that Sheikh Nuru Khalid of Apo Juma’at Mosque has been suspended by the mosque for criticizing Buhari’s refusal to visit Kaduna over last Monday’s train attack. We blame our clerics of being enablers of poor governance, here we’ve one being victimized for truth-telling.
— Gimba Kakanda (@gimbakakanda) April 2, 2022
The chief Imam of Apo Jumat Mosque, Abuja, Sheikh Nuru Khalid, has been suspended for criticising Buhari over the Abuja-Kaduna train bombing. Yet, nothing has been done to the terrorists or Sheikh Gumi, their public relations officer! They punish critics and victims#TableShaker
— Reno Omokri (@renoomokri) April 3, 2022