DEBORAH SAMUEL: Tunde Bakare Speaks, … openly challenge Muslims on Blasphemy
A presidential aspirant on the platform of All Progressive Congress (APC) and the founding Overseer of the Citadel Global Community Church, Pastor Tunde Bakare, has condemned the brutal killing of Deborah Yakubu, a 200-level student of Shehu Shagari College of Education, Sokoto on the allegation of blasphemy.
Pastor Bakare, the acknowledged fiery preacher turned politician who was born and raised a devout Muslim named Sindiku, before his dramatic encounter and conversion experience later in life with eventual journey as a respected global christian leader and preacher, whose late grandfather was also a Chief Imam openly challenged Muslims saying there is no place in the Qur’an that supports killing for blasphemy.
Bakare made this known while reacting to the gory attack that led to the death of the student in Sokoto.
Tunde Bakare in a statement called for unity and respect for mankind, irrespective of religion, ethnicity and political affiliation in Nigeria, adding that no human life ought to be subjected to such gruesome death.
“It was with deep distress that I received the news of the gruesome killing of Deborah Samuel in Shehu Shagari College of Education, in Sokoto State.
“No Nigerian, and indeed, no human being, should be subjected to such inhumanity by fellow humans.
“As a nation of diverse peoples and cultures, there are available institutional mechanisms for resolving sensitive conflicts and, no matter the provocation, no person under our laws has the right to take laws into their own hands.
“As one who was a devout Muslim and who read the Qur’an from cover to cover, what was done to Deborah Samuel is nowhere justified in the religion of peace that was handed down to me by my grandfather who was the first Chief Imam of Iporo Sodeke Mosque in Abeokuta”, Bakare stated.
Bakare mourned with the family of Deborah Samuel and prayed to God to grant them the fortitude to bear the great misfortune.
While commending the state governor, Aminu Tambuwal for quick response to reestablish law and order to guarantee security of the people, he tasked him to ensure, equity is done and to address the “underlying issues that this sad incident has once again brought to the fore.”
Bakare recalled the tolerance and hospitality that the residents of Sokoto State have forever been known for.
He said, “So hospitable were the people that my father settled in Sokoto State for a period and invested in cotton farms in Shagari Village. Though he was Yoruba, my father was given the nickname “Sanni Arewa” by the very friendly people of Sokoto.
Pastor Bakare advised that, “such unity and tolerance should remain our true identity as a people.”
