This is a response to an article by PAS Chikero with the above title. Let me start by saying that I am a Christian from the southern part of the country like the writer of the article I want to respond to. I don’t know Sheik Gumi except his picture I see once in a while in the media. If you present his picture with that of another person both having thick beard, I won’t be able to pick him out. I am writing this response because I disagree with the writer haven read Sheik’s letter to President Goodluck Jonathan

In as much as I respect the right of the writer to air his/her opinion, I hold an aversion to the mode of presentation as it negate our must cherished African value of respect for elders. I want to believe that Sheik Gumi should be older than the writer and therefore the use of the word “senseless” is completely out of place. Even if the writer is older, Sheik Gumi is a respected religious leader with followers cutting across the country. Response such as this to his letter will only fan the amber of discord the writer is trying to put off. I will suggest that the writer make a better choice of words the next time he/she writes.

The article forced me to re-read the open letter written by the Sheik to Mr. President. I must confess that I didn’t see anything that suggest that a particular religion or tribe hold the ace when it come to leading the country from the letter. Sheik, as every citizen made his sincere observation that the Presidents’ posture has divided the county along religious and ethnic divide. He was of the opinion that the President is a polarizing figure and that the country needs a more unifying President at this period. He even went further to suggest the name of some southern Christians he thinks the President can support, who in his opinion will be less polarizing.

I don’t know if the writer is aware of the letter the Sheik Gumi wrote to General Mohammadu Buhari. He advised Buhari not to contest 2015 Presidential election based on the same premise. He felt Dr. Goodluck Jonathan and General Buhari presently are seeing as either Christian/Muslim candidates or North/South candidates depending on the angle you decide to look at it from. In Sheik Gumi’s opinion, this does not augur well for peace and stability of the country. This to me does not sound like a man that is trying to promote a religion or ethnic agenda.
I am of the opinion that Sheik Gumi is quite concern about 2015 election like every right thinking Nigerian. He is worried that the outcome, one way or the other, might lead to chaos with serious consequence to the existence of the country. He has every reason to be angry with the country and the present government. He didn’t sound bitter to me, rather he sound more like a statesman and a religious leader, hence, the advice to the two people he considered as the most polarizing figures to jettison their ambition for the sake of the country.

Rather than interpreting his letter as advocating for a religion or section, we should see it as a quest for peace and stability of the country. We should all join our voices with the Sheik in this noble objective rather than castigating him out of a bias mind.
Ayantunji Benjamin Gbenro (Ph.D) is @bengbenro

Articles on www.omojuwa are solely authors opinion