30th June, 2015
Eromosele Ebhomele
The change which President Muhammadu Buhari of Nigeria preaches would not be complete if Nigerians do not force the National Assembly to do what is just and operate by the principle of accountability, an Islamic cleric has said.
Dr. Abdul-Lateef Abdul-Hakeem said this at a Ramadan lecture organised by the Chief Whip of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Rotimi Abiru, in Shomolu Constituency, which he represents.
According to him, this change must be backed by support of all Nigerians as well as a clamour against the impunity that have reigned in the National Assembly over the years.
The lecturer and Chief Imam of the Central Mosque of Lagos State House of Assembly, backed his preaching with verses from the Quran to prove that the challenges facing Nigeria were caused by Nigerians.
He said God had made the country one of the best in the world with natural resources and no natural disasters, but that what has befallen the people are a result of greed on the part of the leaders and docility on the part of the followers.
He said to reverse the “curse” upon the people would only be done by the same people, part of which to decide how the leaders must lead with the fear of God.
The cleric taught the guests at the event that laws, whether of a country or a religion, should be held supreme, but that in Nigeria, it was easy for politicians to break the same laws that they make.
For example, he said, a political party must be supreme and this means that every member of the party must be subject to the party irrespective of status.
He took a swipe at the Nigerian Senate President, Bukola Saraki, for going against the party’s decision and instead, forming “an alliance with the same people Nigerians rejected at the polls.”
He reminded the Senate President and all others who flouted laws and regulations of the consequences whether on earth or in afterlife.
“Where are others like Evan Enwerem and Chuba Okadigbo, who have held that position before?” He asked rhetorically while urging the people of the country to continue to pressure the National Assembly to expunge Section 6 of the constitution which puts a clog in the responsibilities of the government to the people as stipulated in Section 2 of the same constitution.
He also warned Muslims against treating Christians and people of other religions with disdain reminding them that everyone is created by God.
He further warned Muslim faithful to be united, maintain peace in the society and remain a blessing to their neighbours as they would reap the reward from God.
Speaking on why he organised the lecture with over 2,000 attendees, Abiru said it was God’s instruction for the well-to-do in the society to help the poor break their fast as such would have the blessings without those who were fed losing their own blessings for engaging in the fasting.
“The month of Ramadan is a month that sins are forgiven and it is expected that we do as much good as we can for our fellow human beings.
“We believe that it is necessary to call ourselves together once in a while and appreciate God for helping us,” he said adding that the Ramadan lecture was the eighth in a series.
He also appealed to Nigerians to support the Buhari government and be patient as he changes the country for good.