…. call for unity, action
Islamic scholars and political leaders from Northern Nigeria have sounded a strong warning over the worsening insecurity in the country, cautioning that Nigeria risks sliding into chaos if urgent steps are not taken to restore peace and order.
Speaking at a special summit of Northern Ulamas held in Kaduna, the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, represented by the Emir of Zazzau, Amb. Ahmad Nuhu Bamalli, urged Muslim leaders to unite in confronting insecurity and curbing the misuse of social media, which he said is increasingly being used to spread hatred and division.
“This is the time to unite the Muslim Ummah,” the Sultan said. “Our clerics must preach peace, tolerance, and national unity in line with Islamic teachings. Social media must also be regulated because it is now being used to divide rather than unite.”
The Leader of the House of Representatives, Hon. Alhassan Ado Doguwa, emphasized collaboration between religious and political leaders in advancing peace, good governance, and social stability.
“Security is everyone’s responsibility,” Doguwa noted. “The National Assembly will continue to support initiatives that foster unity and strengthen our collective values as Muslims and Nigerians.”
Senator Abdul’aziz Yari (Zamfara West) cautioned against blaming only the government for the security crisis, noting that the menace initially emerged in Muslim-dominated communities before spreading nationwide.
“Insecurity started in Muslim-dominated areas,” Yari said. “We can’t put all the blame on the government. The solution lies in unity, action, and honest dialogue among ourselves.”
He also warned against deepening economic hardship and overreliance on government, urging Nigerians to embrace hard work and realistic expectations. “We must face economic realities; prosperity doesn’t come from idleness,” he added.
On the growing abuse of social media, Yari called for stricter regulation to curb fake news and hate speech, saying, “Social media doesn’t spare anyone — rich or poor. It’s time to use it responsibly, as other nations do.”
Prominent cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Abubakar Gumi, urged inter-sect dialogue to address poverty and banditry, which he claimed are being fueled by external actors seeking to exploit Nigeria’s mineral resources.
“Banditry is being fueled by outsiders who covet our mineral wealth,” Gumi warned. “They use uneducated herders as tools. We must engage in internal dialogue and resolve these issues ourselves.”
He also called for reforms in laws addressing social media defamation while protecting free speech, stressing that the summit’s goal was national unity and reform, not confrontation.
The summit concluded with a joint resolution to strengthen cooperation among Islamic sects, promote peace and dialogue, and enhance religious leadership in tackling insecurity, disunity, and economic challenges across Northern Nigeria.
© 2025, Standard Focus. All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from STANDARD FOCUS.