CITIZENS COMPASS – The National Mosque, Abuja, has appointment Prof Iliyas Usman Tochukwu, the first Igbo Muslim to be an Imam.
The appointment has sparked controversies among Nigerians.
Prof Iliyas Usman Tochukwu who is the first Igbo professor of Arabic studies became the first Igbo man to lead the Friday prayers at the National Mosque on Friday, October 18.
The development has led to a wild celebration among Igbo Muslims and their well-wishers from other parts of the country but some others said it has a political undertone.
This has led to a debate among social media influencers some of whom have linked this to the Muslim-Muslim ticket of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
It was gathered that some the appointment of an Igbo Imam has sparked reactions on X formerly known as twitter.
“Alhamdulillah! An Igbo Muslim appointed as the chief Imam of National Mosque Abuja, the FCT! This is indeed a great day for us as Muslims in Nigeria, this tells the whole world that there’s no discrimination in Islam, we follow each other in prayers. Alhamdulillah
@newbreed1914 said, “First they came with Igbo Muslim translated the Quran into Igbo language now they are coming with “Igbo imam”. Look at the man they are propagating as “imam of Igbo Muslim”. How does this Northerner who goes by the name Prof. lliyas Usman be Igbo Muslim? Well we know the Agenda.
An X user said that Peter Obi was the only one who galvanised ethnic and religious sentiments for votes in 2023.
Some other users noted how the Igbo in 1999, voted for Olusegun Obasanjo against their son, Alex Ekwueme and again for Obasanjo in 2003 against former Biafran leader, Odumegwu Ojukwu.
