President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday sought spiritual solution to the terrorist activities of the Boko Haram sect as some Senegalese Mallams were at the Presidential Villa to pray for him and the nation.
The group of clerics was led by Khalifah Sheikh Ahmad Tijani Inyass, the grandson of the late Shehu Tijani Ibrahim Inyass, the founder of the Tijjaniya sect.
They met the President for about an hour at the First Lady’s Conference Room where they offered prayers for an end to the security challenges facing the country.
The spiritual leaders were in the country to attend the Maulud celebration of Ibrahim Inyass Gombe but were invited to the Presidential Villa by President Jonathan for spiritual support.
Speaking to State House Correspondents after the meeting, spokesman for the group, Ahmed Tijani Sanni Alwalu said it was a historic meeting since former leaders, Yakubu Gowon and the late Aguiyi- Ironsi had also invited the sect to pray for the country in the past.
“It is a historic visit because it has been done with the then President, General Yakubu Gowon and General Aguyi Ironsi, so history is repeating itself and we came for the Maulud of Ibrahim Inyass Gombe and on our way going home, the President requested for a courtesy visit and our Shehu granted it.
“We must come together, all Muslims and non- Muslims to achieve peaceful coexistence. We must pray so that we can all fight this insecurity in this country.
“The main purpose of coming here is part of the prayers for peace in this country”, he said.
Other members of the group include Sheikh Muhammadul Makky Inyass, Sheikh Mansur Inyass, Sheikh Ahmad Tijjani Inyass, Sheikl Bashir Inyass, Inyass Mustapha Inyass, Abdullahi Muhammad Maigemu, Sheikh Ibrahim Dahiru Bauchi, Aliyu Ibrahim, Khalifah Shehu Nasiru Hamisu, among others.
Also present at the meeting were the Vice President, Mohammed Namadi Sambo, Chief of Staff to President, Brigadier General Jones Arogbofa (rtd), Head of Service, Bukar Goni Aji; Minister of Federal Capital Territory ( FCT), Bala Mohammed; Justice Minister, Mohammed Bello Adoke; Women Affairs, Hajiya Zainab Maina; Minister of State for Health, Khaliru Alhassan and Minister of State for Agriculture, Hajia Asabe Asmau Ahmed.
Jonathan had earlier held a closed door meeting with Malian President, Muhammadou Keita in continuation of series of meetings aimed at solving the problems of insurgency in Northern Mali and North Eastern Nigeria.
Addressing State House correspondents after the meeting held at the Presidential Villa, Keita said: “I have come to meet my brother on the issue of insecurity, to see what we can do, that is why I am here.”
