Reno Omokri, former presidential spokesman, has expressed deep concern and disappointment over Sheikh Gumi’s statements regarding Christians’ trustworthiness in Nigeria’s security apparatus.
Delta-born Omokri said such remarks are not only regrettable but also disturbing.
The author also emphasised the importance of competence and patriotism as key factors in addressing Nigeria’s security challenges, rather than religious bias.
He also addressed concerns raised by Sheikh Gumi about the potential for Nyesom Wike to influence the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and its residents as the current FCT minister.
Omokri stressed that Nigeria is a diverse and heterogeneous country that should serve as a model of peaceful religious coexistence, setting an example for regions facing conflicts between Palestine and Israel.
His words:
”Sheikh Gumi’s statement about not trusting Christians with Nigeria’s security is regrettable and disturbing. We have come together as a country for 63 years, and this type of statement sets us back and builds distrust.
”We need competence and patriotism to tackle insecurity, not religious bias.
”How can he think that Wike will make the FCT an extension of Israel and people with beards will be killed? That type of thinking is unfounded.
”Wike has no power over the Army, Navy, Air Force, or the Paramilitary Forces. Those are squarely under the control of the Commander-in-Chief, who is a Muslim, like Gumi.
”We have, to a large extent, successfully managed our diversity in Nigeria, and it will be most helpful if we do not allow the conflict in Palestine and Israel to cause us to hate each other. Nigeria is not Israel.
”Nigeria is a heterogeneous country that should serve as an example of peaceful religious coexistence to Israel if we get our acts right.”
