Kaduna State Governor, Ahmed Nasir El-Rufai, has finally broker peace in the Sultan Bello Mosque leadership tussle, saying that, a15-man committee would be set up to appoint a substantive Imam.

El-Rufai disclosed this on Friday when he prayed at the Mosque, adding that for the time being, the Deputy Imam of the Mosque Alaramma Ibrahim Isa will continue to lead prayers pending the outcome of the committee’s work.

The Director, Interfaith and Adviser on Religious Affairs to the Governor, Eng. Namadi Musa, would serve as the committee Secretary even though other members of the committee were not mentioned.

“This mosque was built by the late Sir Ahmadu Bello, the Premier of Northern Nigeria, many years back and Shaikh Abubakar Mahmoud Gumi assisted in laying it's foundation. I remembered years back, late Gumi used to encourage people to join the Civil Service and the Military at a time when some scholars were against that.

“This is why we are praying for peace in the mosque and for people to leave in peace with one another. Kaduna State had witnessed about 16 religious and tribal crisis in the past which claimed about 20,000 lives. This made us worried whenever there is any crisis in the state,” he said.

He thanked Sheik Dr. Ahmad Gumi and Dr. Khalid Abubakar Aliyu for their understanding and cooperation towards the successful reconciliation of the matter.

“I was the one who invited them for reconciliation and which they both honoured. I begged them to please allow peace to rain and they both agreed. We appreciate their understanding,” the Governor said.

El-Rufai also used the occasion to seek the forgiveness of worshipers who were teargassed the previous Friday night during prayers by security personnel deployed to the mosque to control the protest at the mosque.

His words: “Please forgive me, over the security personnel’s action, and blame me for their action and I take responsibility for their action. Forgive us.”

The Governor called on Muslim ummah to support the committee to enable them discharge their duty.

Among those that prayed at the mosque were National President of Jama’atul Izalatul Nidia, Shaikh Bala Lay, Shaikh Kabiru Gombe, Dr Ahmad Gumi and many other top Islamic scholars.

The Acting Imam of the mosque Alaramma Ibrahim Isa led the juma’at mosque shortly after the governor finished addressing the massive crowd that attended the prayer.

•Photo shows Sultan Bello Mosque Kaduna.

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