News

Sacked Abuja Chief Imam gets new appointment

The sacked Chief Imam of Apo Legislative Quarters Juma’at Mosque in Abuja, Sheikh Nuru Khalid, has bagged a new appointment in the Federal Capital Territory.

Khalid, who was sacked for criticising President Muhammadu Buhari over poor handling of insecurity in the country, has been appointed to lead a new Juma’at mosque behind the Central Bank Nigeria (CBN) Quarters in Abuja.

He made this known on Monday night, saying the new appointment would take effect from Friday, April 8, 2022.

He added that his sack by the Apo Legislative Quarters Mosque was a reflection of how Nigeria is today, saying: “Many people are hiding under the cover of religion to perpetrate all manner unwholesome acts.”

Khalid stated: “Such people would stop at nothing to take away people like me, who are pro-masses and bold enough to speak the truth to power always on behalf of voiceless Nigerians.

“This is the price we pay for aligning with the people and identifying with their sufferings.

“By the Grace of Almighty Allah, I will be leading my new congregation this Friday, because as cleric we need a platform for operate.

“There’s a Jum’mat mosque we built behind the CBN Quarters, in Abuja; I will now be leading the congregation there,” Vanguard quoted Khalid as saying.

The Star had reported that Khalid was barred from ministering at the Apo Legislative Quarters Juma’at Mosque, following his criticism of the ineffectiveness of the country’s security system in dealing with the nation’s current security crisis.

He was later sacked by the mosque’s Steering Committee.

The imam had in a sermon he delivered on Friday, April 1, hinted at some measures that electorate should devise should the authorities fail to protect the citizens.

“Nigerian masses should resort to only one term which is – protect our lives, we will come out to vote; let us be killed, we will not come out to vote, since it’s only elections that you people know,” he had said.

The Star