Controversial Kaduna-based Islamic scholar, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi on Tuesday revealed what he discussed with the Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate, Peter Obi, who paid him a visit at his Kaduna residence.
Africa Daily News, New York reports that Obi visited the Islamic scholar just before proceeding to the venue of the event organised for presidential candidates by the Arewa Consultative Forum, Northern Elders Forum, and other northern groups.
Speaking exclusively to newsmen, Gumi said he asked the LP presidential candidate a few questions even though they were meeting for the first time in their lives.
‘He (Obi) came on a courtesy call even though I was meeting him for the first time face-to-face, and so I appreciated his visit.
‘I asked him very essential questions, but I told him he didn’t have to give me straight answers right away since I knew he was on his way to Arewa House where he would explain it better to the larger society to understand.
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‘I asked him about his stand on restructuring because Nigeria has been going through a restructuring from 1960 to date and how he could empower an unskilled nation.
‘I also asked him how he could pacify agitations from the South East, North Central, South West, and North East. Again, I told him there are foreign interests in this country that are part of the polarisation of our politics. So how is he going to tackle it?
‘He also agreed with me that truly there is foreign interest in this country, and then I wished him well,’ he said.
Gumi then advised all the presidential candidates to make their campaigns issue-based.
He cautioned them against utterances that could further polarise the country.
Obi had yesterday asserted that Nigeria has now qualified to be referred to as a failed State, and promised to unlock its greatness if elected.
The former Governor noted that when a country is no longer in control of the economy and security, such a country is nothing but a failed state.
Mr. Obi stated this during an interactive session organized by the Arewa Joint Committee made up of the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) Northern Elders’ Forum (NEF), Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Foundation (SABMF), Jamiyyar Matan Arewa (JMA) Arewa House (Center for Historical Development and Research) and Arewa Research Development Project (ARDP).
