Onoh to Sheikh Ahmad Gumi: Your remarks undermine national unity

By Emma Nnadozie

Former Southeast spokesperson to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Denge Josef Onoh, has cautioned Islamic cleric Sheikh Ahmad Gumi against making statements susceptible of inflaming tensions and dividing Nigerians.

Addressing journalists successful Abuja connected Thursday, Onoh said immoderate of Gumi’s caller comments connected societal media—particularly connected issues affecting the Middle Belt and interfaith relations—were “unhelpful and susceptible of deepening divisions successful the country.”

“It is disappointing that idiosyncratic of Sheikh Gumi’s stature continues to marque statements that could weaken nationalist assurance successful our corporate pursuit of peace,” Onoh said. “Rather than uniting Nigeria, specified rhetoric whitethorn further widen existing gaps successful our society.”

Onoh urged spiritual and assemblage leaders to beryllium much circumspect successful their nationalist comments, noting that words transportation value and tin power nationalist sentiment, positively oregon negatively.

“For excessively long, we’ve seen however careless statements tin escalate communal tension,” helium said. “At a clip erstwhile the authorities is moving hard to fortify nationalist cohesion and security, leaders should beforehand dialog and understanding.”

He emphasized that bid and stableness are indispensable for improvement and that each Nigerians—regardless of religion oregon background—must lend to fostering communal respect and harmony.

Onoh besides commended President Bola Tinubu for maintaining an inclusive attack to governance and urged information agencies to proceed their efforts to guarantee bid and bid crossed the country.

“Mr. President’s Renewed Hope docket is anchored connected unity, economical revival, and societal justice,” helium said. “We indispensable each enactment this imaginativeness and debar statements oregon actions that could derail it.”

He concluded by calling connected nationalist figures, particularly spiritual leaders, to usage their platforms to heal divisions and animate nationalist reconciliation.

“Nigeria deserves peace, understanding, and corporate progress,” Onoh said. “This is the clip for bridge-building, not blasted oregon provocation.”