From Maiharaji Altine Gusau
The Nigeria Council of Ulamah, Zamfara state council has condemned in strong terms all forms of violence and political thuggery, calling on politicians in the state to play politics according to the dictates of Islamic religion and the laws of the land.
Speaking during a peace dialogue with some political parties in Gusau on Tuesday, the chairman of the council Sheikh Ahmed Umar Kanoma said, both the Islamic religion and the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria have strongly condemned political thuggery and other forms of violence.
Sheikh Kanoma stressed that, it was Islamically unacceptable for any politician to cause violence simply because he wants to be in power.
According to him, any politician that uses his position to ignite trouble would be questioned and face consequences in the day hereafter.
He therefore advised the politicians to avoid giving illicit drugs to the youths which would lead them to lose their senses and engage in all sorts of criminality.
He said “If at this moment, thuggery has started what more of if political activities have started in earnest.
‘You should fear God and do not spoil our children by giving them all sorts of drugs just to protect your political interest”.
Sheikh Kanoma expressed displeasure on the recent political unrest in the state despite the peace accord organized by the state police command where all political parties have agreed to shun all forms of thuggery and violence during and after the forthcoming general elections.
“You have all agreed to ensure peace in the state when you were called by the commissioner of police for peace accord, and surprisingly we have started witnessing political violence even before the commencement of the election”.
“I want to use this medium to call on the politicians in the state to please allow peace to reign”.
“, You should remember that Zamfara state is practicing Sharia legal system and as such, we don’t want a situation whereby people are being killed simply because somebody wants to win an election”.
“Don’t forget the fact that only God gives power to whom he wants, as such, I am appealing to you to fear God and conduct your campaigns without rancor and acrimony”.
“Every political party has the right to open his office and go out to look for supporters”. Concluded Sheikh Kanoma.
In their separate remarks, the three political parties YPP, APGA and SDP) who attended the forum commended the Nigeria Council of Ulamah for organizing the peace dialogue and promised to abide by the clarion call by its chairman Sheikh Ahmed Umar Kanoma.
The chairman of YPP Alhaji Aliyu Abbas Talata-Mafara said the political parties would abide by the candid advice given by Sheikh Kanoma”.
He however expressed dismay that the state has no elders forum who should also work alongside with the Ulamah for the sustainence of peace and tranquility in the state.
“The state has only Ulamah forum but has no elders forum, that is why we are always encountering so many problems”. Said Aliyu Abbas.
Aliyu Abbas also shifted blames on the judges who he said have contributed a lot towards political thuggery because of non execution of stiffer penalties on offenders.
In his submission, the APGA chairman, Alhaji Bashir Aliyu APGA said they have no place other than Zamfara state, as such, they would not partake in anything capable of causing trouble during and after the election.
The SDP chairman, Alhaji Idris Abdullahi Bangaje Gusau said they have since signed a peace accord at the police headquarters to maintain peace in the state.
He however expressy dismay that so many bad issues of thuggery have started to resurface just few weeks after the peace accord.
The committee secretary of the forum, Malam Nafiu Garba said that the committee would meet other political parties who were not present during the meeting, adding that the APC and PDP would be seen separately.
