Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA), a pro-democracy organisation that is not affiliated with any government, has denounced recent reports of Sheikh Ahmad Gumi making divisive comments and demanded his immediate arrest and punishment.
HURIWA has accused Gumi, a well-known Islamic preacher, of speaking for violent non-state actors in Nigeria, mixing with the groups, and pleading for amnesty on their behalf.
In a statement released on Friday, “The association accused him of associating with terrorists, bargaining on their behalf, and pushing for amnesty for these groups, notwithstanding their involvement in violence, kidnappings, and other illegal actions.
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Furthermore, Sheikh Gumi’s recent remarks about Nyesom Wike’s appointment as the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have caused worry, according to HURIWA.
“Gumi criticised the choice to have Israelis help with Abuja’s security, claiming that this would cause the city to turn into a “extension of Tel Aviv.
The statement, which was signed by Emmanuel Onwubiko, the national coordinator of HURIWA, read: “HURIWA has interpreted these comments as a sign of Gumi’s alleged sympathy for terrorists and his apparent willingness to see Nigeria destabilised by these groups.”
In light of the fact that Sheikh Gumi is not above the law, HURIWA argued that the Nigerian government should confront his conduct and remarks.
It continued, “The association has called for an investigation into whether Gumi’s activities may be contributing to the ongoing terrorism situation in Nigeria since it considers that his views and actions may inspire violence and pose a threat to the nation’s security.
The selection of Nyesom Wike as the FCT Minister is a political, not a religious, affair, HURIWA further emphasised.
The group vehemently refuted any suggestion that a Christian couldn’t take such a post and viewed it as an attempt to create religious strife, highlighting the fact that Abuja belonged to all Nigerians and shouldn’t be divided along religious or regional lines.
HURIWA demanded that the Nigerian government prioritise the safety and security of every one of its citizens, whatever of their background, and act quickly to reduce the escalating tensions and polarising rhetoric.
No person should be permitted to put the country’s stability and unity in danger for their own purposes, it stated.
