A group known as the ‘Democratic Defence Initiative’ has condemned, in the strongest terms, what it described as an “unwarranted verbal attack by some Clerics on the person of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Barr Nyesom Ezenwo Wike.”
The Northern Caucus of the Democratic Defence Initiative, after a meeting with the National Executive Council of the organisation, further declared that the attack was uncalled for a divisive motive.
Addressing Journalists at the NUJ Press Centre on Monday, Abdulrasheed Fate,
Representative, Northern Caucus of the group, stated that “the 14-minute video casts aspersions on both Muslims and Christians who campaigned and voted for the Muslim-Muslim ticket in the 2023 elections that brought in the Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration.”
He stressed that “what’s most worrisome is the divisive comment on the security of the nation. He stated that ‘It is dangerous to leave national security in the hands of the Southerners. This is uncalled for in a democratic republic like Nigeria.”
“His Excellency, Barr Wike, was governor of a state known for development and peace. This prompted the President to call him to replicate the same feat in the FCT. He contained cultism, lawlessness, and brigandage successfully in Rivers State. His records are well documented,” he added.
Abdulrasheed Fateh added, It is also on record that Nigeria and Israel have a diplomatic relationship as well as an economic partnership, which will benefit Nigeria tremendously.”
He then stressed that “such dangerous sermons would only stir unnecessary hatred and may delegate into something more dangerous if not well managed. We therefore join millions of well-meaning Nigerians in condemning that comment.”
He added that “We are a secular nation, and as such, every religion or nation is free to hold a stake, as long as our peace and security are not jeopardised.”
According to him, “these recent utterances by some of our northern religious elites on the status of the Minister of FCT, that it should belong to only one faith, and calling for the removal of the Minister, are totally uncalled for.”
He stressed that “Nigeria is a democratic republic with each Nigerian having equal rights as the other; as such, the seat of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory belongs to any qualified Nigerian, irrespective of tribe or religion, as the appointing order (President) may deem fit to appoint.”
The group therefore strongly condemned these unpatriotic utterances, which are capable of fanning flames of disunity among the peace-loving Nigerians.”
“Nigeria is going through a healing process under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, a Muslim. It is important that Muslim clerics support his administration to ensure that justice and good governance are served to the Nigerian populace, which is one of the tenets of Islam,” he added.
Abdulrasheed Fateh stressed that this is the time for each and every Nigerian to embrace one another and overcome these difficult times. We should shun rumour-mongering, as it is capable of setting our dear country ablaze.”
According to him, “Just recently, a section of unpatriotic people went on social media, alleging that the FCT Minister, Barr Nyesom Wike, has concluded plans to demolish part of the Abuja Central Mosque, which was later confirmed by the same Abuja Central Mosque Authority, that it was false. This is very unfortunate and highly condemnable.”
He then stated that “the Minister of FCT, Barr Wike, is tirelessly doing his best to reposition the Federal Capital City with a benefiting status that we will all be proud of. We should therefore encourage them to continue with the good works, which, in the end, will benefit all Nigerians.”
“Finally, at this juncture, may we use this opportunity to call on our dear Nigerians to disregard any call against the FCT Minister, who is busy uniting both religions for a better Nigeria. We must not allow a few people to distract from a working government that the majority of Nigerians voted for,” he added.
He concluded by saying, Already, various reforms are in progress to give Nigerians the best; let’s unite, therefore, to protect this God-given mandate of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and pray to God to unite us more. Nigeria belongs to all of us, and her unity should not be traded for any personal reason whatsoever.”
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