Sheikh Muhammad Nuru Khalid, popularly known as Digital Imam, has been sacked as the Chief Imam of the National Assembly Mosque, Zone E, Apo Legislators’ Quarters, Gudu District, Abuja.
The cleric was initially suspended over an “anti-govt” sermon he allegedly delivered on Friday.
The mosque committee chairman, Senator Sa’idu Dansadau, disclosed this in a letter dated April 4, 2022, and titled “Letter of Disengagement From the Services of National Assembly Mosque.”
THEWILL reports that Sheikh Khalid, had in a sermon on Friday, criticised the government over its failure to rein in rampaging bandits across the country.
Imam Khalid had hinted at some measures that the electorate should devise should the authorities fail to protect lives.
The Imam, urged worshippers and entire Nigerians to play apathy in the forthcoming 2023 general elections, if the government fails to fix the security problems and other challenges bedevilling the nation.
“Nigerian masses should resort to only one term which is – protect our lives, we will come out to vote; let us be killed, we will not come out to vote, since it’s only elections that you people know”, he said.
The mosque committee suspended the sheikh afterwards, accusing him of inciting public outrage.
According to the committee, the sermon, which captured the current state of the country was capable of inciting public outrage.
However, the Imam later said he was not given fair hearing, adding that he only read about his suspension.
The chief Imam noted that what he said in his sermon was true, and he is ready to step down, if asked to do so.
Shaikh Khalid said, “It is a thing of wonder that it is Senator Dansadau, who hails from Zamfara State, where bandits are killing people that would write such a letter to me.
“The Vice Chairman of the committee of the mosque is from Niger State, who cannot visit his home town because of the fear of bandits.”
He said he would prefer to do the menial job of carrying load than be an Imam, who would not tell the truth.
His suspension had generated controversies, particularly on social media as several Nigerians backed the cleric, while others believe that the sermon was born out of sentiments against President Muhammadu Buhari’s government.
Reacting to the controversial sermon, popular Islamic scholar, Ahmad Abubakar Gumi, condemned the cleric, and described the sermon as “sentiments overriding intellect.”
According to Gumi, the Imam was wrong for trying to discourage Nigerians from participating in the election to vote out bad leaders, saying he is worse than kidnappers.
He said, “It’s a case of sentiments overriding intellect. Calling masses not to vote out incompetent government by massive voting is worse than the few kidnappings and a misplaced judgement.”
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