The former Chief Imam of Apo Legislative Quarters Mosque, Sheikh Nuru Khalid, has promised not to withdraw the comments made against the Muhammadu Buhari-led government.
Naija News recalls that the vocal cleric had slammed the president over the worsening insecurity in the country and the failure of the government to address the activities of bandits in the North.
Following his outburst, the management of the mosque initially suspended the cleric before removing him as Chief Imam.
Speaking on Sunday during a visit by presidential aspirant, Omoyele Sowore to his residence in Abuja, Khalid said he stands by the comments and would continue to criticize the government until the country is better.
He disclosed that some prominent Nigerians are begging him for reconciliation and asking him to stop any media discussion about the issue that led to his sack.
He stated, “I have conditions for reconciliation, one of them is I won’t withdraw any word that I’ve spoken and the second condition is that no one will caution me on any issue.
“If it is against the will of the government, they have security operations, let them arrest me. If it is against the tenets of Islam, summon the FCT Committee of Imam to call me and ask. I am feeling as if I gained my freedom, I can speak out freely, I don’t mind anybody who feels good or bad.
“My mission is not to convert people to Islam but create awareness in the minds of Nigerians that we are not slaves; our mothers gave birth to us as free people, we are free people, that freedom is very vital.
“If we can maintain that freedom, we can speak out against bad governance but if we are afraid of them, we are now slaves. Somebody will just take one person and negotiate price.
“That’s what is happening in Nigeria today, they’re kidnapping citizens, selling them out. Look at someone that can bear to negotiate with criminals, now he’s afraid to listen to citizens. There’s a problem.”
