You’re leading Nigeria into chaos, Sheik Gumi warns Jonathan

Barely 24 hours after President Goodluck Jona­than declared his intention to con­test, prominent Kaduna based Islamic scholar, Sheik Ahmad Gumi has told him not to contest in 2015 presidential polls, warning that such is a dangerous move which can only lead Ni­geria into chaos and turmoil which no one knows where it will end.

According to a letter he wrote to the president which the cleric posted on his face­book, Sheik Gumi said, “Mr. President, from what I heard from people who are close to you, is that you are humble with a soft heart. But still humility is never enough for an effective leadership. Leadership is about listening and taking the good advices from people of wisdom not from those that benefit from you or have any agenda oth­er than the unity and prog­ress of this nation.”

The cleric further said “we have never met despite the fact that we were all born and we lived for more than half a century in this great vast country Nigeria. It’s here we all grew up and were educated and I pre­sume except by divine pru­dence it’s here that we will all be buried.

“So what truly matters is the legacy that we will be­queath our children and the next generation of Nigeri­ans to come. We will not want it a burnt country with hundreds of thousands dead, maimed or displaced people because of the thoughtless­ness and recklessness of its stewardship.

“Nigeria today is a single railway line with two heav­ily loaded trains speeding towards each other in op­posite direction. You’re the driver of the heavier train and please do not think that even a cart on the railway cannot derail you with great catastrophe to humanity.

“You need to come out of the cocoon and face the re­ality. Denial of the truth can never solve problems.

“The mantle of the lead­ership of this country was given to you under oath. Almost four years ago, you swore to protect ‘the interest of the sovereignty, integrity, solidarity, well-being and prosperity of the Federal Republic of Nigeria’. You said: ‘ I will not allow my personal interest to influ­ence my official conduct or my official decisions; and ‘I will do right to all manner of people, according to law, without fear or favour, affec­tion or ill-will’

“Unfortunately, many people including me before God believe you broke some of your oaths. I’ll only need to refer you to the honest open letter advice you were given by your political god­father. You appear more Ijaw than Nigerian.

It’s seldom fathers will deceive their children. Yet you never listen. And sadly by your recalcitrance you are dangerously leading this nation to chaos and turmoil that only God knows where it will end.

Northern groups have complained about your bias. The youths about your ne­glect.

“You have divided the na­tion gravely on the religious divide. Already we heard a call in a church that you are now a saviour. Now, not of Nigeria but the church in Nigeria. With this religious zeal on both sides, each side looking at the wrong people for salvation, the nation is heading towards disaster.

“My fellow country man, it’s unfortunate that your stand on many issues have made you a polarizing fig­ure while the exalted office you occupy needs a nation­alistic one. Surely with the Christian votes and north­ern PDP followers you can win another election but you will also set the nation into another turmoil because that segment of the nation that re­jects you do so because they believe rightly or wrongly you are involved negatively in the Boko Haram saga.

The natural thing any good leader will do in this situation is to step down for a person all the segments of the nation will have confi­dence in for their well-being. A credible person that will not stir apprehension. The decision is not about your rights but about responsibil­ity.

“Therefore as you pray in the Holy Land seek God’s indulgence to show you the light of honour and do the right thing. It’s God’s com­mand that Nigeria stays unit­ed and ‘what therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder’.

“A word of wisdom says: ‘He who consults is never disappointed and he who seeks God’s choice never re­gret’ so please don’t brush it aside, call men of wisdom to advise you too.

“I, for a start, I am hereby candidly advising you to relinquish your presidential ambition because of peace, stability and well being of millions of innocent Nigeri­ans.

There are many politicians who can ‘finish’ it on your behalf. The PDP can present Akpabio or Obi or Orji etc. I rest my case here.”

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You’re leading Nigeria into chaos, Sheik Gumi warns Jonathan