Buhari ‘crippled’ by death of Abuja chief imam

President-elect Muhammadu Buhari has described the death of Musa Muhammed, the chief imam of the Abuja Central Mosque, as a “crippling blow” and a setback to the efforts to reunite Nigerians of various faiths after very divisive campaigns leading to the recent elections.

“He died at a time when the counsels of Nigerians of the highest calibre are needed to continue the unification efforts,” the president-elect said.

Buhari described the late imam as an inspirational leader who preached love among men and women and fought hard all his life to diminish cleavages and divisive tendencies in our country.

He said the imam’s name will occupy a proud place among those who worked for the unity, peace and the well-being of the Nigerian state.

“I join many who mourn him and in doing so, I am proud to remember a great son of Nigeria. May Allah repose his soul and grant his family and the nation the fortitude to bear his loss,” Buhari added.