A Shiite faction, Rasulul A’azam Foundation, RAAF, on Saturday, declared loyalty to the Nigerian government, against the Ibrahim Al-Zakzaky-led Islamic Movement of Nigeria, IMN, which they claimed is fighting the government.
DAILY NIGERIAN reports that on January 13, the detained leader of IMN, Ibrahim El-Zakzaky, made his first public appearance more than two years after he was detained by the Nigerian government.
But Sale Zaria, the RAAF Secretary General, stated at a press conference at the conclusion of this year’s annual birthday celebration of Imam El-Mahdi, held at Ungoggo Local Government Area of Kano State, that they differ with Mr El-Zakzaky.
According to him, the RAAF believes in peaceful, economically viable, independent, sovereign and united Nigeria.
Mr Zaria, therefore, called on Muslims and Nigerians at large to desist from any action capable of causing tribal or religious division.
The cleric called on adherents of various religions in the country to avoid all sorts of extremism and live peacefully with one another, as taught by Apostles of God.
Mr Zaria also emphasised the need for identification of the 9 factions within the fold of Shi’ah, stressing that each faction has its own name and tenets.
“People should know that there are 9 factions within the Shi’ah sect. Each sect has its own tenets. For instance, we are not part of Al-Zakzaki movement.
“We differ in several fronts. He runs a movement which is fighting with the government.
“Our faction goes contrary. We believe in government and respect constituted authorities. We believe in unity and supremacy of the constitution.
“We are registered, as we attained our registration in 2005. We participate in politics and ready to contribute our quota in nation-building.
“We believe in security apparatus that is why whenever we have a function, we have to notify security agencies.
“Therefore, we call on religious and tribal groups to desist from any action that could cause violence in this country.
“These crises are a time bomb, so we should do everything possible to prevent the bomb from exploding,” he said.
He, however, while disclosing his support for Nigerian government in its agricultural commitment and job creation among teeming youth, lauded President Muhammadu Buhari’s anti-corruption war.
