Politicians bent on influencing us – Cleric

The acting chairman Sheikh Abubakar Turata made the call at the general meeting of the council held at the auditorium of Sokoto state Polytechnic.He revealed that some politicians were bent on offering them worldly things influencing the cleric ahead of the elections.He appealed to the Islamic scholars not to be enticed into supporting wrong candidates […]

The acting chairman Sheikh Abubakar Turata made the call at the general meeting of the council held at the auditorium of Sokoto state Polytechnic.
He revealed that some politicians were bent on offering them worldly things influencing the cleric ahead of the elections.
He appealed to the Islamic scholars not to be enticed into supporting wrong candidates in the elections.
“You should not be enticed into supporting wrong politicians because the money they may offer to you will end up tarnishing your image and the image of your religion. So reject it,” he said.
He noted that the 19th century reformer, Sheikh Usmanu Bin Fodiyo had succeeded because he turned down mundane offers from the then kings.
He said as clerics they should look up to God for help, adding: “Allah has many ways of enriching his servant.”
The warning is coming at a time when controversy is raging in a section of the Christian community over alleged N7 billion bribe in support of President Goodluck Jonathan’s re-election bid.
In his remarks, Professor Ade Bello from Osun State lamented that Muslims were being made second class citizens in the country.
He added: “There is no commentary by our scholars on the abduction in the North-East and on this election. It is high time to wake up from this slumber and take part in all happenings in Nigeria.”
Professor Bello stressed the need for the council to be autonomous and to devise ways of getting its resources without relying on anybody.
Sheikh Adam Idoko, from Enugu State, in his speech noted that the challenges faced by Muslims were enormous, adding that these should not deter them from practising their religion well.
He said the emerging leaders of the council must live up to the collective expectation of Muslim community.
This was collaborated by Sheikh Abdulfatah Thani from Lagos who expressed the hope that the meeting would bring a new beginning in the affairs of Muslims. He urged the new leaders to live up to their responsibilities.
In a goodwill message Governor Aliyu Wamakko said religious leaders had a role to play in enlightening the people to elect good leaders.
The Governor who was represented by the commissioner for Religious Affairs, Alhaji Tukur Alkali, stated:”We need the calibre of people like you to come in and elect good leaders who will lead this country in a normal way.”
Nigeria, he said was facing a lot of challenges and that it was the collective responsibilities of all to ensure good leaders for the nation.