Renowned Islamic scholar, Sheikh (Dr.) Ahmed Gumi has blamed northerners for turning a blind eye to the truth behind Boko Haram.
Speaking to Sahara Reporters in an exclusive interview yesterday, the Islamic cleric also commended the peaceful transition from the Goodluck Jonathan administration to President Muhammdu Buhari.
Giving his perspective on how Nigerians should fight Boko Haram, Sheikh Gumi said “The North is not ready to hear the truth”.
Gumi suggested that Muslims in Nigeria, particularly the North, aren’t aware of who their enemy really is adding that if they can correctly identify the ones who are killing them, they can successfully defeat Boko Haram.
“We Muslims need to face the fact that some of us are killing some of us. Being a military man, he will stand up to see that he defeats Boko Haram. The fundamentalists may now feel more invigorated to fight till the end. There’s a chance that there may be more violence than before”, said Gumi
The Kaduna-based scholar also showed appreciation for former President Jonathan’s disposition during the last general elections.
“President has showed a lot of statesmanship by conducting one of the fairest elections in the country, and then peacefully seceding to the winner.
“We are happy that things turned out peacefully”, he said.
On what he makes of the new administration led by Buhari, he expressed the hope that the president will conduct himself in the most amicable manner to drive the nation to safety.
Gumi also had significant insight on what kind of leadership he believes is necessary to lead Nigeria out of its recent troubles.
“Leadership entails a lot of things, it’s not just about being honest; you need flexibility and other qualities, sometimes you have to be a fool to be a leader. Even the support Buhari got from the South is because they want him to do something drastic, drastic moves always backfire. Nigeria can’t take a drastic move, it needs a gradual process of getting there”.
