News
Nyesome Wike: Don’t crucify Gumi – MURIC
Nyesome Wike: Don’t crucify Gumi – MURIC
Shaykh Ahmad Gumi recently criticized the Minister of the capital territory, Nyesome Wike, for hosting the ambassador of Israel in his office. Although Gumi also came under attack from several quarters over his comments, an Islamic human rights organization, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), has risen to the defence of Shaykh Ahmad Gumi. MURIC said Shaykh Gumi has the right to self-expression as guaranteed by the Nigerian Constitution.
This was disclosed in a statement issued on Wednesday, 25th October, 2023 by the Executive Director of MURIC, Professor Ishaq Akintola.
The full statement reads: “Shaykh Ahmad Gumi has come under a tornado of criticisms over his recent comments on the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory and former governor of Rivers State, Nyesome Wike (https://newsdiaryonline.com/pandef-mbf-tackle-gumi-others-over-anti-wike-campaign/).
“We are of the candid opinion that most responders were propelled by emotion, not by the facts on ground. Our opinion is based on the antecedents of the minister him
“Gumi’s comment has been taken in isolation as if the Shaykh just woke up from sleep and started talking. Something must have prompted him. Why didn’t he tackle any other minister? Why Wike alone among all other ministers? Gumi’s comments on Wike should be assessed against the backdrop of Wike’s actions and spoken words if we want to be objective.
“The truth is that Wike is not innocent. He has been garrulous. He has also been too visibly anti-Muslim. As the governor of Rivers State, Wike demolished a mosque in Port Harcourt against all pleas.
READ ALSO:
- Fear grips Kastina residents as robbers escape from prison
- Updated: FG assures NURTW of good working relationship as union elects new leaders
- 2024 Olympic Qualifier: Super Falcons play 1-1 draw against Ethiopia
“Again, Wike declared Rivers State a Christian State (https://punchng.com/rivers-is-a-christian-state-wike-insists/). This was done in blatant violation of Section 10 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria which states very clearly: ‘The Government of the Federation or of a State shall not adopt any religion as State religion.’
“No sooner than Wike became the minister of the Federal Capital Territory than he announced that he intended to hand over the security of the all-important territory to Israel. MURIC saw the danger in this and warned the minister (https://dailytrust.com/muric-cautions-wike-over-planned-security-deal-with-israel/#:~:text=We%20like%20to%20warn%20that,global%20espionage%20outfits%20like%20the).
“But Wike ignored the warning and went ahead to invite the ambassador of Israel to his office. That was an arrogant display of power as well as a manifestation of gross insensitivity. Wike is aware that anything that has to do with Israel is volatile. Israel is a controversial country and Nigerians will not touch it with a long pole. Israel is killing thousands of children and pregnant women while it flagrantly violates international laws and ignores resolutions of the United Nations. How can Wike be so insensitive?
“That office does not belong to Wike personally. He occupies it in trust. But by inviting the Israeli ambassador there at a time Israel is committing war crimes and Nigerians are demonstrating against that apartheid state, Wike has abused the trust given to him by the Nigerian Senate representing the good people of Nigeria That invitation sent the wrong signals to the international community as Nigeria’s official endorsement of Israel’s atrocities.
“Nobody will stop Wike if he wakes up Hitler or Mussolini from their graves and invites them to accompany Netanyahu to his personal house. The Israeli ambassador to Nigeria is the face of Israel. As far as Nigerians are concerned that ambassador is the embodiment of Israeli crimes against humanity. Not a few Nigerians will keep him at a safe distance but Wike decided to swim against the current.
READ ALSO:
- DSS recovers 150 AK-47 Rifles, other weapons from terrorist’s house in Niger State
- Israel detains 930 Palestinians in West Bank – IDF
- BREAKING: Tinubu appoints 2 new CEOs in Marine and Blue Economy sector
“Wike should know his limitations. The last time MURIC checked, the President and Commander-in-Chief of Nigeria is Bola Ahmed Tinubu, not Ezenwo Nyesome Wike, CON. He should not usurp the office of the president. Besides, Abuja is not an annex of Rivers State.
“Wike’s invitation to the Israeli ambassador was ultra vires. He should leave that to the minister of foreign affairs. He should desist from intruding into the jurisdictions of other ministers and bullying every other official in Abuja. Wike can invite the ambassador of Israel to his personal house but not to his office.
“Another pointable point is that Wike has a reputation challenge among Nigerian Muslims due to his anti-Muslim proclivities as exhibited during his tenure as governor of Rivers State. He succeeded in courting the hatred of Muslims during that period.
“While it is true that not every Muslim will agree with Shaykh Gumi on entrusting Nigeria’s security apparatus to a Christian, nobody should attempt to guillotine Shaykh Gumi for cautioning the garrulous and fiery minister.
“MURIC advises public office holders to be circumspect, to manifest sensitivity to the feeling of Nigerians and, above all, to think twice on matters that may have religious undertone before commenting on them. Silence cannot be more golden than in public office.
“Section 39 of the 1999 Constitution guarantees the right to freedom of expression by stipulating as follows: Every person shall be entitled to freedom of expression, including freedom to hold opinions and to receive and impact ideas and information without interference. The Tsunami of condemnations hurled at Shaykh Gumi was therefore uncalled for because he merely expressed his mind.
“Unfortunately it is when a Muslim speaks that merchants of hate suspend the principles of freedom of speech. When others utter hate-filled scud missiles at Muslims they call it free speech. It is the age of double standard. Fairness and justice have taken leave of the entire world. Might is right.
“We call on the heads of Nigerian security agencies to do everything possible to stop Wike from placing our collective safety in the hands of a murderous state like Israel. Genuine security derives from mutual trust. Nigerians will never trust, support or cooperate with any security paraphernalia built for Abuja FCT by Israel.
“As we draw the curtain, we reiterate our position on the raging controversy over Shaykh Gumi’s comments on Wike. All condemnations of Shaykh Gumi on this issue in particular is an attempt to freeze free speech. The FCT minister himself invited Gumi’s comments due to his anti-Muslim and far right Christian stance when he was governor of Rivers State.”
Nyesome Wike: Don’t crucify Gumi – MURIC
News
Photo News: Kwara Security Strategy Committee Submits Report to Gov AbdulRazaq
Photo News: Kwara Security Strategy Committee Submits Report to Gov AbdulRazaq
L-R: AIG Aderemi Opadokun (Rtd); Air Commodore Asa Buhari (Rtd); Major General Abidoye Olayemi (rtd); Team Lead Kwara State Security Strategy Committee, Major General Garba Abdulwahab (rtd); Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq (CON); Rear Admiral A.B Lawal (rtd); Col. A.A Lawal (rtd); Alhaji M.A Jimba; Director of Special Services Governor’s Office, Mrs. Folorunsho Idayat Adeola; and Permanent Secretary General Service, Alhaji Shuaib Yitta, during a visit by members of the committee to the state governor (to submit their report) at the Ahmadu Bello House, Ilorin, on Wednesday.
News
Rivers Police Parade Two Suspects Over Murder of Okada Rider, Theft of Motorcycle
PORT HARCOURT – The Rivers State Police Command has paraded two young men arrested over the alleged murder of a commercial motorcycle operator, whose motorcycle they reportedly stole after luring him into a remote forest in the state.
The suspects, identified as 24-year-old Abubakar Sani and 20-year-old Yusuf Magaji, were arrested following an intelligence-led operation by operatives of the Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU), Emohua.
The police said Sani allegedly confessed to participating in the killing of the victim, identified as Sani Musa, before the suspects escaped with his motorcycle.
Musa, a native of Zago Town in Kafin Hausa Local Government Area of Jigawa State, was reportedly operating as a commercial motorcycle rider in Rivers State before his death.
According to the police, preliminary investigations revealed that the suspects allegedly lured the rider to a remote forest in Mbiama, Ahoada West Local Government Area, where they attacked and stabbed him to death.
His body was subsequently dumped in thick bushes, while the suspects allegedly fled with his motorcycle.
The police further disclosed that the suspects planned to transport the stolen motorcycle to Kano State through a waybill arrangement, allegedly hoping to evade security checks and conceal the motorcycle’s origin.
READ ALSO:
- South Africa Releases Fani-Kayode’s Speech After Protest Over Livestream Snub
- Tinubu Failed to Honour Our Agreement After I Took Political Risk for Him – Makinde
- Court Admits Supreme Court Judgment Against Emefiele in $4.5bn, N2.8bn Fraud Trial Despite Defence Objection
The alleged criminal operation was uncovered at about 1pm on October 22, when police operatives received intelligence that some individuals were dismantling a suspected stolen motorcycle at Choba Motor Park.
Acting on the information, operatives of the VCRU moved to the location and arrested Sani and Magaji, who were both said to be from Kano State.
During interrogation, the suspects allegedly confessed to their involvement in the murder and subsequently led investigators to the Mbiama forest, where the decomposing remains of the deceased were recovered.
The recovery of the body provided investigators with further evidence in the ongoing investigation into the killing.
The command said arrangements were being made to release the deceased’s remains to his family for burial in accordance with Islamic rites, following a request by his relatives.
The Commissioner of Police in Rivers State, Olugbenga Adepoju, has ordered a comprehensive investigation to establish the full circumstances surrounding the murder, identify possible accomplices and ensure that everyone connected to the crime is brought to justice.
The police command reiterated its commitment to combating murder, armed robbery, cultism and other violent crimes across Rivers State.
It also urged residents to provide credible and timely information to security agencies to help prevent criminal activities and improve public safety.
The two suspects are expected to face prosecution upon the conclusion of investigations.
Rivers Police Parade Two Suspects Over Murder of Okada Rider, Theft of Motorcycle
News
Tinubu’s Aide Challenges Reports of Presidential Convoy Stoning at Abuja Mosque
Tinubu’s Aide Challenges Reports of Presidential Convoy Stoning at Abuja Mosque
ABUJA, NIGERIA — Presidential aide O’tega Ogra has dismissed reports that President Bola Tinubu’s convoy was attacked with stones by angry youths following his attendance at Friday prayers at a mosque in Abuja.
Ogra, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Digital Engagement, Strategy and New Media, described the reports as an opposition-driven narrative, insisting that footage of Tinubu leaving the mosque presented a different picture of what transpired.
The controversy followed the President’s visit to the Shehu Shagari Central Mosque in Area 1, Garki, Abuja, on Friday, November 13, 2026, where he observed the Juma’at prayer.
Shortly after the visit, a video shared by former Kogi West senator and African Democratic Congress chieftain, Dino Melaye, circulated widely on social media, purportedly showing youths throwing stones at a convoy believed to be carrying the President.
Some individuals in the footage were also heard chanting slogans, including “Ba ma yi, ba ma so”, an expression of rejection.
However, Ogra challenged the account, releasing another video showing Tinubu waving to a crowd of youths as he departed the mosque in his official vehicle.
In a post accompanying the footage, the presidential aide accused opposition elements of promoting a misleading account of the incident.
“Contrary to the narrative being pushed by the opposition, with videos of their alleged paid thugs at the National Mosque today, here is footage of Mr President leaving the mosque after Friday prayers this afternoon,” Ogra wrote.
The footage showed the President, dressed in a white outfit and black cap, acknowledging people gathered around his vehicle, with some cheering and taking photographs with their mobile phones.
The conflicting accounts have generated debate over what actually happened during the presidential visit, particularly whether stones were thrown at the convoy.
While reports of hostile chanting have emerged from the scene, the allegation of stone-throwing remains disputed, with no independently verified evidence conclusively establishing that the President or his convoy was struck by stones.
The development comes amid heightened political tension ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Earlier on Friday, Tinubu warned politicians and their supporters against political violence, thuggery and other activities capable of undermining the country’s democratic process.
In a statement personally signed by him, the President said security agencies had been authorised to confront acts of political violence and other anti-democratic activities with full force.
He condemned reported violence at political gatherings across the country, stressing that political campaigns should focus on issues that promote citizens’ welfare and national development.
Tinubu maintained that violence should have no place in Nigeria’s democratic process.
Tinubu’s Aide Challenges Reports of Presidential Convoy Stoning at Abuja Mosque
-
metro3 days agoOgbomosoland Grand Chief Imam, Sheikh Teliat Ayilara II, Marks Five Years in Office
-
News47 minutes agoPhoto News: Kwara Security Strategy Committee Submits Report to Gov AbdulRazaq
-
Sports3 days agoTinubu Rewards Flamingos With ₦100m Each After Historic World Cup Triumph
-
News2 days agoBREAKING: Manchester United Sack Michael Carrick After Disastrous Start to Season
-
metro3 days agoCSU CERTIFICATE CONTROVERSY: How Ex-Lecturer Inadvertently Indicted Himself Over Claims Against President Tinubu
-
Politics3 days agoFresh Legal Storm for Atiku as Court Rejects ADC Resignation Letter, Nullifies 2027 Ticket
-
Education2 days agoNELFUND Loan: How Parents Can Stop Children from Collecting School Fees Twice
-
International2 days agoTwo Killed, 17 Injured as Building Collapses in Brooklyn, Seven Children Among Victims