Election: We never endorsed any presidential candidate ― Shiites

THE Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN) also known as Shiites, on Sunday, disclosed that it had never endorsed any presidential candidate as its preferred choice for February 16, Presidential election in Nigeria.

It, therefore, urged the general public to disregard the recent statement by one Amir Sadiq Muhammed, who paraded himself as the National Secretary of the movement, a position not known to IMN, that the movement has entered into negotiations to give a block votes of five million to the All Progressive Grand Alliance Presidential candidate (APGA), Major General John Gbor (rtd) in the coming election.

In a statement authorised by a member of Resource Forum of IMN, Muhammad Ibrahim Gamawa, a copy of which was made available to the Tribune Online in Abuja, the movement declared that no adherent of Sheikh Ibraheem Zakzaky would ever support a party or any candidate that has taken it upon itself to wipe out Shia Muslims in the country.

According to Muhammad Gamawa, the movement wishes to draw the attention of the general public, especially political parties to be wary of fraudsters like Amir Sadiq Mohammed and others who might come their way again.

He said the movement had expressed readiness to support a candidate that believes in fairness, religious freedom and did not pursue a sectarian agenda such as crushing minority religious groups in the country.

“This contradicts the Nigerian Constitution that guaranteed the freedom of worship.

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“Ordinarily, this fraudster would have been ignored if he had not mentioned the Zaria and recent Abuja massacre planned and executed by men of the Nigerian Army of which the victims are one hundred per cent all followers of Sheikh Zakzaky.

“It is important for the general public to know that contrary to the five million votes the fraudster, Amir Sadiq Mohammed mentioned in the said report, the movement has more than eight million registered voters who would go out on the election day and cast their votes to the candidate that believes in justice, fairness and religious freedom.

“Furthermore, it is equally important to mention that we do not have anything against any political party in Nigeria, neither are we political group. It is pertinent to know that no adherent of Sheikh Ibraheem Zakzaky will ever support a party or any candidate that has taken it upon himself to wipe out Shia Muslims in the country,” he insisted.

It will be recalled that Sheikh Zakzaky and his wife, Zeenat have been incarcerated since December 2015, a situation which had led to series of protests, especially in the Northern part of the country by his followers.