New
revelations have been made about what occurred behind the scenes to
help douse the tension built up by the Apostle Suleiman and DSS
face-off.
Apostle Johnson Suleiman
It has been revealed that the invitation of Apostle Johnson Suleman
to the office of the Department of State Security, DSS, would have
turned violent, if not for the intervention of a former Governor from
the South South, Daily Post reports.
It will be recalled that that Apostle Johnson Suleman, General
Overseer of Omega Fire Ministries Worldwide, met with top officials of
the Department of State Services, DSS, Monday night.
DSS had invited him for questioning over ‘inciting’ comments he made against Fulani herdsmen.
Before the meeting, Suleman stated the DSS did the right thing by inviting him for interrogation.
“I presume the right thing was done. They have been in touch
with me to come and that is why I am in Abuja, so that I can see them”.
He insisted that his comment was based on information from a reliable source that they were targeting him and his church.
“I was talking in my personal capacity on information from a
reliable source that certain people in the capacity of herdsmen were
coming to attack me and I told the people around me that if it happens
they should defend themselves.”
But the build-up to the meeting involved several pre-meetings to
calm nerves nationwide and also ensure neither DSS nor Apostle Suleman
got confrontational.
Daily Post reports that the meeting was championed by a former South-south governor who served for eight years.
This is contrary to the claim in some media reports that some
leaders of the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, “brokered peace”
between the Apostle and the DSS.
According to Daily Post, an impeccable source revealed that
although CAN did not deny Apostle Suleman, what the body did in the
whole matter should not be over-emphasized.
“I read that CAN mediated a peace deal. Which CAN? Is it the
CAN that declared that it will not accompany Apostle to DSS office? I
read it on your site; I still have the link.
“Let me tell you what happened because it is always good to
give credit to whom it belongs. An ex-governor was the one who was
running up and down holding meetings to ensure that this matter doesn’t
degenerate. Tension was high all over the country. Those who know this
will confirm.
“If you recall, Apostle and his entourage left Mabushi around
2pm but got to DSS office some minutes past 8pm. Within those 6 hours,
do you know what happened?
“Do you know how many calls were exchanged by prominent men and
women across Nigeria for the sake of peace? I am taking about
influential citizens I cannot disclose.
“Yes, some CAN members called and visited Apostle in
solidarity. But that was all they did to the best of my knowledge. The
individual that coordinated the outreach was the former governor."
Asked if other prominent Nigerians intervened, the source answered in the affirmative.
“On that Monday, those who directly and indirectly mediated
include serving and former governors; serving and former Ministers. Even
a number of politicians, ex-ambassador’s, first class monarchs
nationwide as well as Christian and Muslim leaders reached out.
“One of the serving governor that showed solidarity is from the
North. He initially wanted to run for presidency. Apostle told him he
won’t even get ticket let alone contesting. He advised him to run for
governor that he would win.
“A former IG too spoke to those in authority. Apostle told him
years ago that he would attain the top job. He laughed and said it
wasn’t possible because he would soon retire. When he was appointed, one
of those called was Apostle.
“There is also another serving governor in the North whose
election was argued till Supreme Court. He doesn’t even joke with
Apostle. He was in Abuja that night. Apostle is spiritual father to
about 7 governors and 9 former governors.
“All these people and others showed support not because they
support any conflict in Nigeria or particularly agree with what Apostle
said, they just could not sit by and allow the situation get worse and
Apostle honestly appreciates their efforts.
“But like I said, the former governor was the one who really
led intervention and tirelessly led peace talks. It is not CAN I
insist”.
The source also told Daily Post that the DSS has stopped monitoring Apostle Suleman’s phones.
“His lines were bugged after the video went viral. They have
now debugged. Part of the agreements was that Apostle Suleman should
remain silent on the matter to douse tension. No more provocative
comments.
“Also, for now, he would not grant any interview concerning why
he was invited. So if anybody comes out to quote him on this very
issue, ‘na big lie!’.
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