Don’t abuse clerics, Kings, Politicians — Islamic scholar urges Nigerians

An Islamic preacher, Dr Abdullahi Bala Lau, has enjoined Muslims and other Nigerians to desist from abusing traditional rulers, clerics and political office holders on the social media and other platforms.

Lau who is the West Africa President of Jama’atu Izalatil Bid’ah Wa Iqamatus Sunnah, noted that God is the one who put people in positions of authority and can remove them at the appropriate time.

He made these declarations at a programme organised by Federation of Ahlus-Sunnah Organisations of Nigeria tagged “Public Da’wah initiative themed “Tawheed (Oneness of Allah) and Peace among kings on the throne in Nigeria” held at Freedom Park, in Osogbo, Osun State on Saturday.

The event was attended by Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State who was represented by Commissioner for Home Affairs, Honourable Kayode Abdulrasheed Aderibigbe, former governor of Osun State, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, National Ameer of FASON, Shaykh Tajudeen Abdul Kareem and National Vice President of Supreme Council for Shari’ah in Nigeria, Shaykh Isa Akindele.

Lau while speaking said, “We should respect the clerics, traditional rulers and political office holders. They were ordained to be in the position by God. Respect them and God will do what you want for you. It is necessary for all of us to recognise the oneness of God. We should not rely on anybody. Rely on God for everything you want.

“We are living in a wold full of uncertainties, if you see people, majority of them are searching for unity, so what is the solution. We should not associate partners with God. Do not abuse clerics, traditional rulers and political leaders. Do not abuse them on social media. Nobody know when this world will come to an end. We don’t know what will happen tomorrow. Our dear kings and clerics should come together. The kings are in need of the scholars and the scholars are in need of the kings.

“So, each of us should endeavor to maintain and sustain peace and harmony wherever we are. The whole message of Islam is about oneness of Allah and it preaches unity. Islam brought all of us together, all of us are united by the believe in the oneness of God. We should not worship idols. There should be no intermediary between us and God”.

Akindele in his lecture noted that injustice is the root cause of many of the social vices in the country. He called on all the stakeholders to rise up and do something to promote justice in the country.

He said “Justice is the cause of all these problems. Any community that encourages justice will continue to prosper and anyone that does not prioritise justice will be witnessing crisis. There cannot be peace without justice.

“There is injustice everywhere, injustice in many places. Where there is no justice, there will be no orderliness. Without justice, there will be no peace and orderliness. We have to start from the government circle, you said you are employing graduates who have degrees and you are paying them N30,000 but your children who are in nursery school are collecting N250,000.

“We have many graduates who are riding motorcycles. Injustice is the cause of all these problems where we have many people engage in prostitution, Yahoo Yahoo, drug pushing and the rest. And we are saying that there will be peace. There is no justice. We have to do something about it”.

Adeleke while speaking urged Nigerians to continue to pray for the country and the state in particular.

“There is no gain saying that for any meaningful development to take place, there must be peace and tranquility. This is the more reason why this gathering is unique and appropriate. It is the duty of the religious leaders to preach peace to their followers while the government maintain peace through all the necessary government machineries.

“I beseech you all to continue praying for this country and Osun state in particular. Osun state being the cradle of the Yoruba race place premium on our tradition and especially our Royal Fathers. There is the need to respect our royal fathers.

“May I use this opportunity to appeal to our religious leaders to inculcate the habit of respecting our Royal Fathers and culture in your followers”.

Akanbi while speaking advised Nigerian youths not to shy away from politics.

He said that this is because they are future of Nigeria.

Others are the Aare Musulumi of Yorubaland, Edo and Delta States, Alhaji Daud Makanjuola who was represented by the Special Adviser to governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State on Islamic Affairs, Dr Abdulrasheed Abdulaziz, Executive Secretary of Muslim Ummah of South West Nigeria (MUSWEN), Professor Muslih Tayo Yahaya, Wakil Musulumi of Oyo State, Professor Koyejo Oloso, Chief Imam of Ogbomosoland, Dr Yunus Olushina Teliat Ayilara and Chief Imam of University of Abuja, Professor Taofiq Abdulazeez

Traditional rulers at the event include the Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrasheed Akanbi, Akire of Ikire-Ile, Oba AbdulAzeez Olatubosun, Alawo of Awo, Oba AbdulRasaq Taiwo Adegboye, Onisanbo of Ogboro, Oba Kazeem Adio Adegboye, Olowu of Owu-Ile, Oba Muhammad Qasim Raji and Eleinde of Eko-Eleinde, Oba Adekunle AbdulWaheed Babatunde.

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