IGBOZURUOKE MEDIA

Yobe State has been thrown into controversy after the leadership of Jama’atu Izalatil Bid’ah Wa Iqamatis Sunnah (JIBWIS), Jos faction, suspended prominent Islamic cleric Sheikh Alkali Abubakar Salihu Zaria from delivering his Ramadan exegesis (text interpretation) at Mokas Mosque in Damaturu.

The suspension followed a sermon in which Sheikh Alkali openly criticised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, north-west governors, and corrupt officials over the worsening insecurity in the region.

It was gathered that the action was taken after a meeting convened by the National Chairman of the JIBWIS Council of Ulama, Muhammad Sani Yahaya Jingir, which included the cleric as well as state and local representatives of the group in Yobe.

According to insiders, Sheikh Alkali was accused of “using strongly-worded statements against certain individuals in the region as well as the president, addressing insecurity in a manner inconsistent with the organisation’s established methodology.”

During his sermons, Sheikh Alkali condemned kidnappings, banditry, and the lack of political will from state leaders. He warned of a society paralysed by fear of powerful figures.

He said: “Today, people are abducted and traded as though they are cattle. Somebody will be abducted and taken to bush. They then negotiate the ransom. Families implore, even though the abductors are complete ignorant. They will beat and kick their victims. Often they will stamp their feet on their victim’s stomach in Ramadan.”

He also criticised politicians’ reverence for power over piety, saying: “One of the signs of catastrophes this generation will likely face is the tendency to revere individuals out of fear of their machinations.

“Look at how state governors fear Tinubu much more than they fear Allah. If you are in the APC, you are treated like a saint. If you are a member of the opposition, you will be treated like a devil. One will be confronted with trump-up charges. Who is Tinubu? You deceived us. You are a deceiver and cheat.”

Reacting to his suspension on Facebook, Sheikh Alkali said he accepted the decision in good faith and urged his followers to remain steadfast. He described Jingir as not only a religious leader but a father figure

He wrote: “To my followers, relatives and associates, I urge you to take heart. This was destined to happen. I cannot exceed the days Allah has written for me to lead Ramadan Qur’anic exegesis in Damaturu. I urge you to be disciplined and loyal. What Allah has decided is the best for us.”

Social media quickly erupted with reactions. Some youths condemned the suspension as unjustifiable.

One user, Katagun, criticised the JIBWIS leadership for being silent when people needed their voices the most.

Others, like Ahmad Usman El-Nafaty, dismissed Sheikh Alkali’s sermon as a show-off.

“There is nothing impressive in what Alkali said. It is theatrical. His plan is to cause some discontent among people. He is simply turning Tafseer sessions into comedy,” El-Nafaty said.

But many users defended the cleric.

For instance, Ibraheem Ahmad wrote: “Clerics are the last hope of the ordinary Nigerians. Many clerics called out Tinubu but they were not suspended because they did not endorse Muslim-Muslim ticket. What Alkali said was the bitter truth. Islamic clerics should fear Allah. You are the representative of the people whose blood is being spilled.”

Another popular Facebook user, Datti Assalfiy, added that criticizing political leaders should never be a reason to suspend a cleric. (Sahara Reporters)