Sermon Reignited: Religious Rhetoric of Nigerian “Man of God”

Watch the violent rhetoric from a video footage of a Nigerian Christian leader, Apostle Johnson Suleiman of Omega Fire Ministries International. A man who declared himself as “an anointed man of God” and inspired by the scripture to admonish his followers to take of arms against any Muslim they come across. 

Amidst the current ethno-political crisis, we observed that the atmosphere has become the privilege discourse to unleash terror into the minds of religious adherents. The issue of religion is very sensitive especially in a multi-religious country like Nigeria, yet some perverted extremists reinvigorated the legacy left behind by early years of Christian’s crusades (Christian holy wars) incited by Pope urban in 1096. A charismatic monk and powerful orator named Peter the Hermit of Amiens, preached vigorously and instilled the idea of holy war to the Europeans Christians. He claimed to have been appointed to preach for the war by Jesus Christ himself, he even provided prove of “divine latter of his appointment.” Peter Hermit the spiritual leader of the crusade led his fanatical army to massacred Jews and Muslims. Thousands of men, women, children, even babies were not spared. Similarly, these hate-filled preachers wanted Christians to wage war against Muslims; a threat that draws back the barbaric events to flourish in the 21^st century.

The blood-letting preaching of this “Man of God” whose vicious motives aim at innocent Muslim Fulani ethnic group harmonized with the barbaric self-serving doctrine proclaimed by Abubakar Shekau; the spiritual leader of pseudo-Islamic cult of Boko Haraam terrorist sect.

In a video footage, the clergy was publicly ordering his followers to kill “any Fulani herdsman” they have seen. He said he was told of a plan by Fulani herdsmen to attack his convey and shoot him.

Below is the fabricated story excerpt from the video:

“Somebody called me on phone and said, “Hello, I want to talk to you.”

 “I said what?”

He said there is a plan to send Fulani herdsmen after you.”

“I said after who?”

“He said after you.”

“And I said ok.”

“Any Fulani Herdsman you see around KILL HIM!”

“I told my people that if you see any Fulani herdsman KILL HIM, I SAY KILL HIM, SLAUGHTER HIM, CUT HIS HEAD!!” (Loud cheers from the congregation)

“I told my people we will KILL THEM and nothing will happen!!!” (More cheers of approval)

“Didn’t David kill Goliath?” (An account he quoted in the Holy Bible 1 Samuel 17)

“…Because some DEVILISH people that say they have a religion.” Apostle Suleiman concluded.

By using the word “Devilish” people, he was referring to the entire Muslim Ummah of Northern Nigeria.

This inciting remarks was followed by loud applauds from the congregation, an indication of satisfaction with the divine decree commanded by myopic cleric, Johnson Suleiman.

Some Nigerian Church clergies were linked with nurturing Christian fundamentalism in their places of worships but the Christian controlled media is silent about it.

Then we need ask the pressing question; who are these Fulani herdsmen? In other to understand the directed victims of this blood-letting sermon or orders placed by the Christian leader who declared total war on Northern Nigerian Fulani herdsmen. Whom was he referring to as “Herdsmen?” Was it “Armed herdsmen” or “innocent Muslim Hausa/Fulani community members?” The latter is what he meant….exactly. 

Who are these “MASKED” Armed Fulani Herdsmen? They are the invisible insurgents that have been terrifying the country…. Apparently, a political backed insurgency. Let us not be deceived by senseless propaganda spread by war-mongers who benefit from tumult and conflicts. 

The killings and destructions of innocent people in Southern Kaduna is the extension of killings and destructions of the innocent, defenseless Muslims in Southern Kaduna crisis of 2011, Kano bomb blast of 28^th November 2014; insurgents ravaged states such as Gombe, Bauchi, Jagawa, Adamawa, Yobe, Borno. Acts of vicious violence targeting innocent people of Zamfara state, with numerous attacks by gunmen who constantly invaded villages between 2013 – 2015, the victims never get sympathy or even widely publicized and acknowledged by Nigerians let alone international communities because it involved the lives of Muslims.

In the course of most acts of vicious violence targeting innocent people, the Muslims suffered more casualties. The universally accepted law that states, every individual deserved the rights to Justice, equity and fairness as a pre-requisite for peaceful co-existence in any nation, anti-Islamists did not recognize such privilege should be granted to Muslims.

An honest spiritual leader should not instrumentalise evil acts. We can’t imagine someone claiming to be anointed by God, pretending he is spiritually committed yet indulge in hypocrisy, deception, hate sermon.

Hate-Preacher Johnson Suleiman is a wolf that wears a sheep’s clothing. Nigerian public and security operatives should take note.

By A.L. Idris for Resolving Path (RP)

A Da'wah foundation for the best of humanity as regard to written propagations…