Kano cleric ban, mosque closure unconstitutional, unjust- Council of Ulamas
The Nigerian Council of Ulamas has condemned the ban placed by the Kano State Governor, Abdullahi Ganduje, on a popular cleric, Sheikh Abduljabbar Nasiru and the closure of his mosque.
He described the action as injustice and a breach of Nasiru’s constitutional right.
Last month, Ganduje banned Nasiru from preaching and leading prayers in his mosque as a result of a complaint over his alleged controversial preaching by some Islamic clerics in the state.
The Acting National Chairman of the Council and leader of Tijjaniya sect, Sheikh Dan’azuma Tafawa-Balewa, made the condemnation at a press conference in Bauchi on Thursday.
He called on Ganduje to lift the ban and re-opened what he termed ‘one of the biggest mosques in Kano State’, in the interest of justice and fairness.
He added that in the light of the provision of the Nigerian Constitution, which gives every citizen freedom of religion, Ganduje should allow Nasiru to go about his normal activities.
The Islamic cleric said the council, which was established in 1980, embraced all sects and various conflicting organisations with the aim of creating unity through different opinions.