Stop playing politics with security matters, Muslim parliament warns politicians

Politicians in the country have been urged not to play politics with the security of the nation while those who engage in playing politics with security matters, campaign of calumny or mere distraction to seek popularity or gain self-serving political interest, should desist, and come forward to contribute meaningfully as true citizens of Nigeria who desire for progress, development and peaceful coexistence.

The call was made by the Bauchi State Muslim Parliament, during a Press conference presented by Engr Ahmad Yusuf, to set the records clear and galvanise support for the delicate handling of amicable resolution of conflicts, reconciliation of misunderstandings and advocacy for a peaceful Nigerian Society.

According to him, “All citizens should therefore offer support, prayers, and as well remain calm, avoiding anything which fuels division and harms our peaceful coexistence, either through utterances, spreading false and distorted information, or advancing support to criminal activities in any form, colour or disguise.”

Ahmad Yusuf added that, “As an umbrella of islamic organisations, the Bauchi State Muslim Parliament’s core vision on leadership focuses on the fundamental of Islamic goals and objectives for a common voice, and a unifying forum for advancing the course of Islam and Muslims.”

“Its mission is to ensure commitment for working in partnership and collaboration with governments, political institutions, professional associations, agencies, scholars, as well as Islamic organizations and individuals who demonstrate capacity and leadership qualities across the nation to ensure moral sanity, good governance; promotion of understanding in diversity, and peaceful societal co-existence and Cohesion,”he added.

The Muslim Parliament then expressed unwavering support for Senator Shehu Buba Umar, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Security and National Intelligence, lauding his efforts to promote dialogue as a key to achieving peace, particularly in Northern Nigeria.

Ahmad Yusuf described Senator Umar’s work towards peaceful conflict resolution and national security as commendable.

He highlighted that the organization’s vision centers on promoting Islamic goals, unity, and peaceful coexistence, aligning with Senator Umar’s leadership.

The Bauchi State Muslim Parliament strongly condemned smear campaigns against Senator Umar, viewing them as character assassination attempts aimed at undermining his contributions to national security and development.

The organization urged stakeholders to collaborate on addressing Nigeria’s security challenges, appealing to the government to address conflict victims’ grievances and provide support.

The Muslim Parliament  observed that the Senator is working tirelessly to restore peace in some hostile states of the North.

“The Bauchi State Muslim Parliament strongly condemned vicious smear campaigns and image-tarnishing against Senator Umar, viewing these as character assassination and, as attempts aimed at undermining his contributions to national security and development”, the Muslim Parliament said.

The organisation urged stakeholders to join hands in addressing Nigeria’s security challenges, urging the government to address grievances of conflict victims and provide succor.

The Muslim Parliament which also appealed to the citizens of Nigeria to support peace and avoid divisive actions, cautioned politicians against playing politics with national security.

“We appeal to the Federal Government to look into the flight of the victims of various conflicts, banditry and displacement as a result of these recurrent violence and infringement of rights and privileges of citizens, and immediately address their grievances, losses and provide succor to alleviate sufferings,” It stressed.

The Parliament added that,”Islamic scholars who engage in unwarranted calls, disgust and smear public utterances should listen to voices of reasons and come back to their senses, discarding misgivings and doctrinal differences and team up with the dialogue and reconciliation train in an objective and unbiased or ill-feeling manners.”

It concluded, “Little wonder that scholars from Bauchi State refrain from any inflammatory remarks, because of their full understanding of the initiative and sound approach to dialogue with groups and sections with grievances being engaged through policy objectives of the present administration.”

Also speaking, Dr. Hamza Abubakar, a member of the Bauchi State Muslim Parliament, noted that past dialogue efforts have yielded positive results, citing Kaduna as an example where agreements have led to peaceful coexistence.

“If this is the result, why can’t we allow the initiator of this dialogue to continue and apply the same methodology in other parts of the country for peaceful coexistence?”

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