Following his unguarded rant over herdsmen, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), has lashed out at the Senior Pastor of the Omega Fire Ministries, OFM, Apostle Johnson Suleiman.
Recall that Suleiman has been in the news lately after he asked his members to kill any Fulani herdsmen seen around him and his church.
In the early hours of this morning, the Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose had foiled an attempt by operatives of the Department of States Services, DSS, to arrest the clergy man in Ado-Ekiti.
But MURIC, in a statement by its Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola, condemned the hate speech by Sulieman, urging security agencies to do the needful.
Describing Suleiman’s speech as
“provocative, irresponsible and unpatriotic,” MURIC urged Nigerians not to allow “some misguided spiritual leaders who have hidden agenda to becloud their sense of assessment.”
The statement sent to Daily Post, on Wednesday reads:
Condemning Fayose’s action, the organisation said,
The founder of Omega Fire Ministries, Johnson Suleman, recently instructed members of his church to kill Fulanis. An attempt by operatives of the Department of State Security (DSS) to arrest him in Ado Ekiti yesterday was foiled by Governor Ayodele Fayose.
“The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) strongly condemns Pastor Johnson Suleman’s vituperations. It is provocative, irresponsible and unpatriotic.
In the same vein, we are nonplussed by Governor Fayose’s penchant for preventing security agents from performing their lawful duties. By shielding such a high profile suspect, Fayose has manifested blatant disregard for the rule of law, encouraged lawlessness and exhibited executive brigandage.
“Pastor Johnson Suleman wants to make the country unsafe for Muslims and law abiding Fulanis.
It is not in our character to issue threats. We are mature enough to control our emotions. Yet it is not out of cowardice that we prefer to tow the path of peaceful coexistence. Muslims have never been known to fear death or to compromise their faith. But we do not want to join issues with belligerent people who are always bullying Muslims and Fulanis by telling lies and issuing threats. Neither do we want to heat up the polity.
“What will ordinary Muslims do when we exchange banters with firebrand Christian extremists like Johnson? Why should religious leaders speak as if they have stocked heaps of weapons in hiding? Why should spiritual guides incite their followers to kill and maim? What do religious leaders gain from goading their followers to shed blood?
The victims are usually the poor masses who are hypnotized by the rhetoric and mesmerized by the oratorical skills of their fanatical leaders. This is why leaders must weigh every word they utter. Leaders are models. They must live by example and teach their followers to learn how to love, to tolerate, to forgive and to peacefully coexist.
