The sacked Imam of Apo Legislative Quarters Juma’at Mosque, Sheikh Muhammad Khalid, popularly known as Digital Imam, has said in 2023 elections, Nigeria does not need leaders who can fly out of the country and get shelter anywhere they like in the world.
In his words: “We need leaders that are for the masses, not elites. The majority of Nigerians must be considered. That’s why I don’t consider myself.
“I don’t mind not having any job or platform (mosque) to talk. If I have a minute to talk, I will speak for Nigerians.
“Nigerians know what to do to bring an end to all these sufferings in 2023. Let them (Nigerians) use their senses and think of what will help their unborn children.
“I won’t tell them who to vote for or the party to cast their votes for. Let them (Nigerians) use their senses or else what we have seen is nothing.”
Disclosing the cause of insecurity in the country, Khalid, in an interview, noted that there must be a strong political will before you can deal with such issue.
He said: “The political will is not enough. There must be political will before you can deal with insecurity and it must be a very strong one, so that you can deal with anybody who fails to discharge his duties amongst the security personnel.
“You need strong political will to demand accountability on the allocations voted for security and where people are found wanting, they should be held to account and asked to explain why we voted this amount for security and yet there is no security.”
Khalid opined that there is lack of patriotism in the country, saying “when you have patriotic individuals, security operatives, leaders, politicians and clerics, Nigeria will be a good place for all.”
The Digital Imam pointed out that what happened to him was a promotion because he spoke the truth and the minds of the citizens.
“I have no regrets whatsoever. Nigerians are suffering, they don’t have enough resources, things are very hard.
“Our children are at home because the university lecturers are on strike; most importantly, you cannot move from Kaduna to Abuja because of fear.
“We have become prisoners of fear and our government is telling us that is the best they can do. And you want Nigerians to accept that? No, Nigerians want a solution.
“I decided to open up, to tell those in power the true situation of things and what Nigerians want. I may be harsh when speaking but look at the content of the message, not the tone of the message.
“The message is clear: we want a country free of kidnappings, terrorists and bandits’ attacks. We want a united Nigeria; that is what we are clamouring for,” he stated.
According to him, the 2023 elections should provide leaders that can give Nigerians security.
“We will not fold our arms; they know we will not hesitate to vote them out come 2023 if insecurity is not solved.
“Now we are preparing for 2023 elections, what will you tell Nigerians? Vote us again and continue to suffer? Because insecurity will continue to persist.”