The Head of the Association of Urhobo Mayoral Family Crown (AUMFC), His Royal Highness Dr. Israel Agimor Eshanekpe, also known as Akpodoro, has cautioned former Niger Delta militant leader Alhaji Mujahid Dokubo-Asari and Islamic cleric Sheikh Ahmad Gumi over the reported arrival of American troops in Nigeria as part of bilateral efforts to combat terrorism.

Akpodoro, in a statement issued on Thursday by the Mayoral Palace in Ughelli, Delta State, said the presence of U.S. troops was in line with diplomatic agreements between Nigeria and the United States aimed at strengthening the country’s anti-terrorism campaign.

He recalled past comments attributed to both Dokubo-Asari and Sheikh Gumi concerning U.S. military involvement in Nigeria, noting that such statements had raised concerns about national security discourse.

According to him, Dokubo-Asari was previously reported to have warned against the presence of American soldiers in Nigeria, while Sheikh Gumi had opposed U.S. military intervention following an air raid on terrorist hideouts in Sokoto, arguing that such involvement could escalate insecurity.

Akpodoro described the comments as “unhelpful” and urged public figures to exercise restraint when speaking on sensitive security matters.

He said: “Statements that appear to discourage international cooperation against terrorism risk being misinterpreted and could undermine national efforts to restore peace. Nigerians deserve security, stability and progress.”

He further called on security agencies to take national security seriously and ensure that public commentary does not inflame tensions or embolden criminal elements.

The Urhobo leader also urged the Federal Government to sustain collaboration with international partners to address insecurity, stressing that the protection of lives and property remains a core responsibility of government.

Faults Call for Sack of INEC Chairman

Akpodoro also criticised recent comments credited to the President of the Supreme Council for Shari’ah in Nigeria (SCSN), Sheikh Bashir Umar, who reportedly objected to the appointment of Professor Joash Amupitan, a Christian, as Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The remarks were said to have been made during the Council’s 2026 Annual Pre-Ramadan Lecture and General Assembly in Abuja.

Describing the comments as divisive, Akpodoro stressed that Nigeria is a multi-ethnic and multi-religious country and that public offices should not be viewed through a religious lens.

“The office of the INEC Chairman is not the exclusive preserve of any religion or region,” he said, adding that appointments to such positions are made at the discretion of the President in line with constitutional provisions.

He warned that statements capable of stoking religious tension should be avoided, urging the Federal Government and the Office of the National Security Adviser to caution individuals and groups whose utterances could threaten national unity.

Akpodoro maintained that Nigeria remains a secular state, insisting that all citizens are constitutionally qualified to aspire to public office regardless of religious affiliation.

He concluded by cautioning against rhetoric that could overheat the polity, noting that Nigerians would not accept any attempt to undermine democracy or national cohesion. (Vanguard)