Tinubu, Wike vs Sheikh Gumi: Northern elders speak in malicious comment

A Northern Elders' group under the umbrella of the North-East Consolidated Peoples Forum (NCPF) has condemned the attack by the Kano-based Islamic scholar Sheikh Gumi on President Bola Tinubu and Nyesom Wike, the minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

According to The Nation, the group, in a statement on Monday, October 23, described the comment of the Islamic cleric as a malicious, inciting and deliberate misinterpretation of the history of the north.

Mohammed Abba Liman, the group's spokesperson, said the northern elders dissociated themselves from the religious attack by Sheikh Gumi, adding that the cleric was only speaking about his opinion and not that of the people of the north.

Speaking on behalf of the group, Liman said the elders would continue to support President Tinubu and the FCT minister.

The group described Gumi as a “divisive element”, adding that it was easy for the religious leader to make an “unhealthy and inciting statement” because he had not come in contact with the horrors of war, conflict and pains.

Northern leaders condemn ethnic and religious incitement

They then condemned ethnic and religious incitement by those they referred to as misguided elements and their sponsors who were out to cause disaffection and disunity in Nigeria.

The elders said: “Such does not represent the collective view and interest of the North, and certainly not Nigeria’s interest.”

Legit.ng earlier reported that former APC deputy national publicity secretary, Yekini Nabena, has called on President Bola Tinubu to arrest the Kaduna-based Islamic cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi.

In a statement on Sunday, Nabena called for the arrest of Gumi over his outburst against the Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike.

Sheikh Gumi has earlier referred to Wike as Satanic for welcoming Israel Ambassador to Nigeria and holding a press conference in his office.