Those Agitating for Biafra, Oduduwa Republics Are Not Different From Boko Haram - Sheikh Gumi

Sunday, 07 February 2021 07:47 am

A renowned Islamic scholar, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, has said those agitating for Biafra and Oduduwa Republics are not different from the Boko Haram sect terrorists.

Gumi stated this in an interview with BBC Pidgin on Saturday while reflecting on the insecurity situation in the country.

The cleric said it would be unfair to claim Nigerians want the country divided because of the activities of some “miscreants” who are only pushing their own different ideologies and interests.

The cleric claimed that majority of Nigerians want a united nation where peace and equity abound.

The Murtala example

He said: “I usually give an example of General Murtala Mohammed, the former head of state from Kano that was assassinated by the Buka Suka Dimka-led group.

“He married a Yoruba wife. So, where do you want his children to go if the nation is divided?

“Are they going to be with the Yorubas or Hausas in the North?

“Look, let’s forget these useless youths. They’re no more different from these herdsmen.

“These people agitating for Ododuwa, Biafra or Arewa are all the same group of people with Boko Haram.

“Majority of Nigerians want to stay with Nigeria. And if they are in doubt, let’s conduct a referendum.

“Look at elections for instance, millions of votes from all the states, whether from APC or PDP.

“This means that Nigerians are ready to stay with a united Nigeria. That is an indirect referendum which shows that the people are ready.

“So, all these youths that are making noise, whether Abubakar Shekau of Boko Haram, Nnamdi Kanu of IPOB and their Ododuwa counterpart, they are just a tiny minority of Nigerians using ethnic, archaic and retrogressive sentiments to destabilise the nation.

“But l can vouch that Nigerians really want to stay together in peace. But in peace and equity. Not any segment of Nigeria is cheated.”

Disgruntled elements

Buttressing his point, Gumi said the fact that Yoruba and Igbo leaders did not endorse such calls for secession showed they are unpopular opinions championed by few disgruntled persons.

“I’m in Sokoto now, there still are many Igbo traders here who don’t want to go back home, so why do you tell me they want Biafra?

“Biafra is a nuisance just like Boko Haram. You think every northerner is a Boko Haram [militant]?

“Most Nigerians don’t want these ethnic or religious groups. They simply want peace and [to] live together as nation.

If truly the Yorubas are agitating for Oduduwa, why are their leaders not talking about it? Why are Igbo leaders also not talking about Biafra?” he queried.

Embers of war

He said it has become imperative for Yoruba and Igbo leaders to prevent such groups from fanning embers of war in their regions.

Gumi said he has already teamed up with some stakeholders in the North to ensure deadly groups such as Boko Haram and Bandits ravaging the region lay down their arms through dialogue and rehabilitation.

“What we expect is for Yoruba leaders and Igbo leaders to take care of their miscreants as we handle herdsmen and Boko Haram which are miscreants in the North. Every leader should take the words to their people. Only the miscreants are fuelling this,” he added.

The cleric also called on the federal government to grant amnesty to bandits across the country just like it did for Niger Delta militants.

He said bandits emerged due to government’s failure to provide for their basic needs.

“I’m in Sokoto now, there still are many Igbo traders here who don’t want to go back home, so why do you tell me they want Biafra?"

BosseJ:


In a way he is right because, upon all the Biafra this, Biafra that, igbo people are still all over Nigeria living peacefully and doing business. If truly they want Biafra, by now all of them would have gone back to igboland to live and do business. It is only Nnamdi Kanu and his keypad warriors that are disturbing the peace.

Jostoman:
let them get the Biafra first and see weather They will come back or not.

BosseJ:


Why must they get Biafra first before returning to Igboland if they are truly serious about Biafra? It is that kind of talk that made the likes of Gumi to think igbos are not serious about Biafra. When some Northerners gave igbos in the North quit notice some years ago, many of them refused to leave there and even called themselves 'Northern igbos'. Personally, I will only take this Biafra agitation serious when most igbos living outside igboland within Nigeria, begin to move back to igboland en-masse. That would send the clearest message to everyone about their seriousness.

EcoBrick:
https://www.reubenabati.com.ng/index.php/component/k2/item/24682-those-agitating-for-biafra-oduduwa-republics-are-not-different-from-boko-haram-sheikh-gumi/post




Mynd44
Lalasticlala

Conrod:
You are either childish or very forgetful,when in 1966 they returned enmass ,did you people not sacrifice million to ensure it failed.

BosseJ:


In a way he is right because, upon all the Biafra this, Biafra that, igbo people are still all over Nigeria living peacefully and doing business. If truly they want Biafra, by now all of them would have gone back to igboland to live and do business. It is only Nnamdi Kanu and his keypad warriors that are disturbing the peace.

BosseJ:


Why must they get Biafra first before returning to Igboland if they are truly serious about Biafra? It is that kind of talk that made the likes of Gumi to think igbos are not serious about Biafra. When some Northerners gave igbos in the North quit notice some years ago, many of them refused to leave there and even called themselves 'Northern igbos'. Personally, I will only take this Biafra agitation serious when most igbos living outside igboland within Nigeria, begin to move back to igboland en-masse. That would send the clearest message to everyone about their seriousness.

SilverNorGold:
Exactly... Sheikh Ahmad Gumi is absolutely right! Those Biafra and Oduduwa agitators are terrorists and the Federal Government should treat them as terrorists!

Like I said before, unless they first kill me, No man born of woman can divide Nigeria. I dare you all bloody terrorists! You see the way I respect and love President Muhammadu Buhari, right? If Buhari should attempt to divide or support anyone whose aim is to divide Nigeria, trust me, I will fight him to the last drop of my blood! Even my father and my mother dare not attack Nigeria in my front. The day they'll try it, I'll disown them.

No man born of woman can divide Nigeria, unless I am dead... So I am warning Biafra and Oduduwa agitators to be careful! I'll personally arrest any miscreant and deal with them in my own way if the government fails to deal with them.

Nigeria lives as long as I live...
Long live, Nigeria!
God bless Nigeria!

EcoBrick:
https://www.reubenabati.com.ng/index.php/component/k2/item/24682-those-agitating-for-biafra-oduduwa-republics-are-not-different-from-boko-haram-sheikh-gumi/post

He said: “I usually give an example of General Murtala Mohammed, the former head of state from Kano that was assassinated by the Buka Suka Dimka-led group.

“He married a Yoruba wife. So, where do you want his children to go if the nation is divided?

So Gumi, Nigerians wey marry non Nigerians, wetin do them

Them don die

How can someone be reasoning like this in this 21st century

ShackWes:
the guy above me and Gumi are both mad

saaron:
Loads of Rubbish.

SilverNorGold:
Exactly... Sheikh Ahmad Gumi is absolutely right! Those Biafra and Oduduwa agitators are terrorists and the Federal Government should treat them as terrorists!

Like I said before, unless they first kill me, No man born of woman can divide Nigeria. I dare you all bloody terrorists! You see the way I respect and love President Muhammadu Buhari, right? If Buhari should attempt to divide or support anyone whose aim is to divide Nigeria, trust me, I will fight him to the last drop of my blood! Even my father and my mother dare not attack Nigeria in my front. The day they'll try it, I'll disown them.

No man born of woman can divide Nigeria, unless I am dead... So I am warning Biafra and Oduduwa agitators to be careful! I'll personally arrest any miscreant and deal with them in my own way if the government fails to deal with them.

Nigeria lives as long as I live...
Long live, Nigeria!
God bless Nigeria!