The Northern Elders have distanced themselves from controversial Muslim cleric, Ahmed Gumi.
Speaking via a statement on Monday in Abuja, the elders described Gumi’s statement as divisive and unhealthy for the nation.
A statement by the spokesman of the North-East Consolidated Peoples Forum (NCPF), Alhaji Abba Liman quoted the elders as saying “Gumi’s attacks were unprovoked, malicious, inciting and a deliberate misinterpretation of our history”.
This is coming after Gumi made a comment attacking President Bola Tinubu and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike.
They also condemned the religious and ethnic incitement by those they described as “misguided elements and their sponsors” in order to cause disaffection and disunity in the country”.
The forum stated that “such does not represent the collective view and interest of the North, and certainly not Nigeria’s interest.”
Last week, the cleric attacked Wike for receiving the Israeli ambassador who paid the minister a courtesy visit in his office.
Gumi had also condemned President Tinubu for appointing Wike as the Minister of FCT, calling on the President to sack Wike.
The cleric added that it was Christian soldiers who killed northern political leaders in the past.
However, the Forum disagreed with the cleric saying “We totally condemn such unprovoked divisive statements from a divisive element who is seeking to destabilize the peace and unity of our dear county, Nigeria, for selfish reason.
“The utterance is toxic and it should not be accepted by any decent and sound-minded person who loves peace and our Nigeria.
“The constitution of the federal public of Nigeria gives power and right to any Nigerian irrespective of tribe, religion and political affiliation to be appointed to any position of power as long as that person operates within the limits of our law.
“What Nigeria needs now is a consolidation of its peace, unity and progress.
“We caution profiteers of religious fundamentalism and ethnicity, as well as agents of destabilization and instability to desist henceforth.
“We therefore stand with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Chief (Barr) Nyesom Wike. We indeed stand with Nigeria and, of course, the Nigerian constitution for a better governance system for all Nigeria.”