Like the council of Bishops in the Middle Belt did last week, the league of Imams in the zone on Tuesday urged business man, Moses Ayom, to join the 2023 presidential race.

The league of Imams from the Middle Belt include Imam Danladi Ibrahim, Imam Yakubu Musa, Imam Abubakar Musa and Imam Irish Musa

The keynote address was given by Chief Imam of Makurdi, Idris Musa from Makurdi, who said that the impression being given that Muslims only support their fellow Muslims was false.

The Chief Imam of Makurdi said that in 1999, “Muslims overwhelmingly supported General Obasanjo despite his rejection by his own people to become President. In 2011 we supported President Jonathan against Muslim candidates.

“We see no reason why we cannot back you now. Our religion is founded on the principles of Justice and peace. Our great sage Shehu Usman Dan Fodiyo once said ”a people can endure unbelief but no nation can survive without Justice.

“We therefore wish to use this visit to call on you to throw your heart in the ring to run for the Presidency of Nigeria in any party of your choice as a candidate for unity and Justice,” he said.

The leader of the League of Imams said, “Our brother, we firmly believe that your presidential candidature is one of unity. At a very critical time like this, Nigeria requires a President who shall be trusted by its diverse peoples.

“We in the Middlebelt have remained the melting pot of the entire country with over 200 ethnic nationalities and diverse religious orientations,“ Imam Yakubu Musa stated.

Accordingly, he said, “We have come to deliver a message of solidarity and goodwill to you our very own brother, Mr Moses Ayom and to urge you to answer the call of duty loudly proclaimed by the people of the Middlebelt across political and faith lines.”

He said that there was a North and South today because there is Middle between them adding, “it is now time for that middle to also feel a sense of belonging to the larger body. We noted with happiness the position of our brother Christian Clergy which visited you last week.We read in the papers with excitement the points they succinctly made for your candidacy. We align ourselves with their sentiments and pray that you succumb to our call for you to lend your youth, your energy, your experience and
your compassion to help heal the current challenges facing our country.

In his response, he said, “I have heard your message loud and clear. l am humbled by your appreciation of me. In all of my life, I have never discriminated on the basis of tribe or religion. In my companies, there are as many Muslims as there are Christians contributing to my growth and earning a good living”

Ayom acknowledged that last week, he hosted the Bishops across the North Central States who expressed similar sentiments to him, that “It is very touching to realize that my modest contributions are being noticed by great people from far and wide. I thank you immensely for the kind words I have heard from you today.”

Ayom said that the challenges affecting Nigerians don’t separate the rich from the poor, Christian from Muslim, North, south or middle belt.

According to him, “What we therefore require is a person with demonstrable capacity to steady the ship and re-inspire confidence and trust from the people. Our great Leader, President Muhammadu Buhari has laid a solid foundation despite distractions and his successor must consolidate on the giant strides he has achieved”.

He further said that he was pleased by their sense of patriotism and passion for Nigeria and believes that this was the reason you put your lives on the road from far places to come here.

“I have been a great beneficiary of the benevolence of Muslim friends. The list is too long. Abdullahi Adamu (former governor of Nasarawa), Malam Abubakar the former Chairman of Nigerian Railway, His Excellency Bala Mohammed the present Governor of Bauchi State, Late Malam Ismaila Isa Funtua, Senator Lawal Shuaibu etc. I am virtually an integral member of their families. In my house,

” I have adopted a Fulani Muslim boy, Yahaya as my son with equal rights and privileges as my biological children. This is the Nigeria we grew up knowing and this is what it should be. Some people for selfish reasons have chosen to divide us on faith lines as if belonging to a religion puts food on the table. We must prove to them we have gone too far together to look back,” he said.

(THISDAY)

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