Muslim leaders representing various regions, organized under the Supreme Council for Shari’ah in Nigeria (SCSN), conveyed a message to the federal government, emphasizing that Nigerians should not endure hunger and insecurity.
This statement was made during a gathering in Kaduna, where Defence Minister Badaru Abubakar, Special Adviser to the Vice President Dr Hakeem Baba Ahmed, and other influential Muslims in Nigeria came together to discuss the nation’s current state.
The meeting also saw the presence of Alhaji Jalal Ahmad Arabi, Chairman of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), and Alhaji Jamiu Abiola, son of the late MKO Abiola.
The Muslim leaders asserted that substantial amounts of funds were allocated to security and power sectors in the country, yet there has been insufficient progress over the years.
Sheikh Abdurrasheed Hadiytullah, the President of the council, emphasized the need for collective appeals to the government to take decisive measures in tackling corruption, addressing leakages, and curbing wasteful spending.
‘’Corruption is like a cancer, which destroys everything noble and undermines the principles of good governance.”
“Here, it is perfectly justified to ask our leaders, why should the ordinary Nigerian be made to bear the brunt of insecurity, with trillions being spent on the security agencies without positive result or accountability?
“Why should the ordinary Nigerian suffer difficulties from power failure and its skyrocketing cost, with over $20billion wasted on power without positive results or accountability?
“There is no doubt that we cannot reasonably expect solutions to issues bedeviling our lives until our leaders summon the political will to address the issue of corruption, whenever, wherever and whoever is involved.
“In these challenging times, it is crucial that we uphold the principles of peace, unity, and understanding. We should preach against resorting to violent protests against the government and strive for dialogue and constructive engagement with governments to address our concerns.”
“Islam encourages us to seek solutions to problems with our leaders through peaceful means only. Violence only begets more violence, and it is our duty as responsible citizens and followers of Islam to promote harmony and stability.”
’Together, let us channel our grievances through peaceful avenues, fostering a culture of tolerance and cooperation for the betterment of our society.
“We call on the Ummah to fervently pray during this sacred month of Ramadan and beyond for peace in Nigeria, and divine intervention in tackling acts of terrorism, insurgency, banditry, kidnapping, ethno-religious crises, and other criminal activities.”
In an interview with journalists, Minister of Defence Badaru Abubakar stated that the federal government is actively working on employing technology to address the security challenges facing the nation.
He explained that the integration of technology would enable the Nigerian Army to effectively monitor the movements of bandits and other criminal elements, allowing troops to take preemptive action before these groups target specific locations.
Badaru urged Islamic scholars to utilize this year’s Ramadan sermons to offer prayers for the success of the government and the overall development of Nigeria.
