Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State has urged Islamic clerics to desist from using expletive, cuss and unconstructive criticism against leaders.

While addressing the Muslim faithful to mark the 2022 Eid-el-Maulud celebration on Sunday in Bauchi, the governor said it was high time clerics shunned unnecessary criticisms before their followers, adding the trend portends a negative effect on leaders and the citizenry.

“Leaders carry a degree of responsibility to their followers; they are often the target of criticism,” he said. “Religious leaders should continue to pray for those in the position of authority; prayer can change negative developments.”

While calling on Muslims to pray for peace, Mr Mohammed urged the state’s people to live in peace and harmony with one another irrespective of ethnic, religious or political differences.

In his remark, Sheik Dahiru Bauchi, a famous Islamic scholar, said Maulud is a period of sober reflection and devotion rather than merry-making.

Represented by his son Ibrahim, the scholar admonished Muslims to pray for leaders and peaceful conduct of the 2023 general elections.

(NAN)