The Chairman of the Apo Quarters Mosque committee, Senator Saidu Dansadau has denied the claims that the former Chief Imam of the mosque, Sheik Nuru Khalid, was sacked due to monetary gains or to receive favour from the Federal Government.

According to the Chairman while speaking with BBC Hausa, Khalid was sacked because his sermons was encouraging Nigerians not to vote during the forthcoming election in 2023.

Dansadau said, “Our biggest issue with Sheik Nuru Khalid was that he said Nigerians should not vote except politicians assure them of security. We felt that some Nigerians will take advantage of the statement due to what is currently happening in Nigeria. Some people don’t want the 2023 elections to be held.

“I had personally sat down with Sheik Nuru Khalid. I told him that Nigeria is currently in a delicate situation regarding the election, so we need to be careful, since you came to the mosque, you have been attacking the government and nothing has changed. Focus on telling Nigerians to return to God.

“People are saying that I just want the government to give me a position and that is why we sacked the Imam, others are saying that I was paid to do so but the God that I serve knows my mind,” he said.

It will be recalled that the former Chief Imam of the mosque, Sheik Nuru Khalid, was suspended earlier got sacked by the mosque’s committee on Monday following his sermon on Friday on the insecurity issues in Nigeria. (Daily Independent)