I commiserate with the Shiites

Sir: Nigeria has been producing martyrs since the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua abused his presidential powers to attack the Boko Haram Islamic sect-community of men, women and children that did not attack anybody until attacked, in 2009. Yet what the sect was protesting, Boko Haram (misappropriation and embezzlement of public funds), which has become its nickname remains the bane of Nigeria’s development, responsible for her gross underdevelopment and mass abject poverty. What is the sin of Boko Haram other than opposition to Islamic imperialism that is aiding politico-economic exploitation of fellow Nigerians, with particular reference to fellow Muslims and exploitation of the nation as an entity?

Who did the Shiites attack before being attacked? The agents of the Fulani Muslim imperialists in power sent a military General to drive through the processing Shiites, to start a crisis. That is typical of most of the jihadist wars of Muslim imperialists, to capture Egypt, North Africa, many northern Nigerian towns and villages, including Ilorin town, Kwara State, where the excuse was that some masquerades trespassed into an area occupied by the Fulani Muslim jihadist warrior, Alimi. Overall, the target is always the same: the throne and eradication of the traditional religion to be replaced with Islam.

How can the end justify the means? It is because the end rarely justifies the means that some Muslim countries are usually turbulent. Any house built with spittle will be demolished by dew. In Offa town, Kwara State, the Muslims built a Central Mosque by the statue of an illustrious historical woman, Mọ́rèmí (I love children), and afterwards, they mobilised many Muslim youths to demolish the statue. That is the heritage and the mentality. Up till now the ghost of Mother Mọ́rèmí has not been appeased. So, you continue to look for violence to subdue and or annihilate other people and their religion.

Is that God of justice? Did the Shiites not do procession before the presidency of Major General Muhammadu Buhari (GMB) in 2015? GMB is completing what Yar’Adua and Goodluck Ebele Azikiwe Jonathan could not complete. Jonathan fit-in because there is no difference between Christianity and Islam; it all depends on the circumstances and where Muslims and Christians find themselves. Otherwise, the role played by the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in the presidency of Jonathan was similar to that of the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) whenever one of their own gets power. It is obvious that like Boko Haram the Shiites are not a terrorist group, while GMB, with jihadist mentality, is desperate to turn the group into one. God has granted the Shiites the fortitude to bear the loss of some of their members. Militant Islam started in Nigeria in 1804, with the jihadist wars of Uthman dan Fodio and his followers, including Alimi. May God grant eternal rest to the faithful departed Shiites and help Nigeria to overcome her political miscreants and renegade rulers.

Prof. Ọlọjẹẹde Oyeniran Abiọjẹ wrote from University of Ilorin.