By Desire Emmanuel
Some Muslims belonging to a group known as Muslim Youth Council of Nigeria are threatening fire and brimstone and have vowed to deal with a Christian local government chairman after they accused him of ‘blasphemy.’
The Islamic group threatened the Chairman of Doma Local Government Area of Nasarawa State, Mr Jonathan Addra Okuba, with what they described as ‘serious consequences’ as they said he made blasphemous comments against the Prophet at a political gathering in the local government area.
The group quoted the chairman as saying: “Even if the Prophet is living here, I am still the leader of the local government,” a comment they regarded as an insult on Prophet Muhammad.
The group said though the chairman had retracted the comment and had offered an unreserved apology at the same gathering, it was not enough, as they gave him more conditions in order for him not to face the ‘serious consequences.’
According to a press statement issued by the group, the Chairman had been given 48 hours to tender a public apology to all the Muslims in the country which should be published in five national newspapers in the country.
The press release reads in part: “The leadership of the Muslim Youth Council of Nigeria hereby calls on the Executive Governor of Nasarawa State, Commissioner of Poilce and other relevant security agencies to take note of this development.
“In order to maintain peace and foster understanding among all religious communities, we urge the chairman to tender a public apology to Muslim community within 48 hours, published in five national daily newspapers. Failure to comply with this request may result in more serious consequences.”
As of the time of this report, the chairman is yet to respond to the press release.
