Be careful with your words – Gumi tackles Bago over remarks to Fulanis
Islamic Cleric Urges Caution from Niger State Governor
Islamic cleric Sheikh Ahmad Gumi has advised Niger State Governor Mohammed Umar Bago to be cautious in his public statements regarding the Fulani community. Gumi made his remarks in a Facebook post on Saturday, emphasizing the importance of careful language in a multi-religious society, where inflammatory comments can threaten peaceful coexistence.
“The current governor of Niger State, Alh. Mohammed Umar Bago, needs to be careful with his word choice; verbosity in politics is detrimental to good governance, especially in a multi-religious setting,” Gumi stated.
The cleric’s remarks come in response to Bago’s recent address to Fulani leaders, in which the governor urged them to encourage their children involved in criminal activities, such as kidnapping and banditry, to abandon these pursuits and return home.
Governor Bago emphasized that the ongoing silence from community leaders regarding these criminal activities is eroding public trust and fostering resentment toward the Fulani community. He called on Fulani leaders to help identify and report criminal elements within their communities and to collaborate with security forces in efforts to enhance safety across the state.
Additionally, Bago directed traditional rulers to supervise religious preaching in their areas and ordered the arrest of anyone using sermons to incite division among Muslims or between Muslims and Christians. He also warned vigilante groups against taking the law into their own hands and cautioned farmers against cultivating along government roads.
