A Northern group known as Democratic Defence Initiative on Monday urged well-meaning Nigerians to disregard any call against the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, who is busy uniting both religions for the betterment of the country.
The group said Nigerians should not allow a few people to distract the Government that came on board through massive votes from a majority of the citizens.
While condemned what it termed an unwarranted verbal attack by some clerics directed at the minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barrister Nyesom Wike.
Abdulrasheed Fate, the group leader, called during a press conference at the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) Secretariat Bauchi, saying that the decision was made during a meeting with the National Executive Council of the organization.
“The 14-minute video cast aspersions on both Muslims and Christians who campaigned and voted for the Muslim-Muslim ticket in the 2023 election that brought in the Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration,” the group lamented.
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“What’s most worrisome is the divisive comment on the security of the Nation that ‘It is dangerous to leave national security in the hands of the southerners.’ This is uncalled for in a Democratic Republic like Nigeria.”
As Governor of Rivers State, the northern group argued that Wike was known for development and peace.
“This prompted the President to call him to replicate the same feat in the FCT,” the group stated.
“He contained cultism, lawlessness and brigandage successfully in Rivers State.
“His records are well documented.
“It is also on record that Nigeria and Israel have a diplomatic and economic relationship which will benefit Nigeria tremendously.
“Such dangerous sermons would only stir unnecessary hatred and may delegate into something more difficult if not well managed.
“We join millions of well-meaning Nigerians in condemning that comment.
“We are a secular nation, and as such, every religion or country is free to hold a stake as far as our peace and security are not jeopardized.
“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 is uncalled for.
“Nigeria is a democratic republic with each Nigerian having equal rights as the other; as such, the Minister of Federal Capital Territory seat belongs to any qualified Nigerian, irrespective of tribe or religion, as the appointing order (President) may deem fit to appoint.
“We, therefore, strongly condemn this unpatriotic utterance, which is capable of fanning disunity among the peace-loving Nigerians.
“Nigeria is going through a healing process under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, a Muslim. Muslim clerics must support his administration to ensure Justice and good governance are served to the Nigerian populace, which is one of the tenets of Islam.
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“This is the time for every Nigerian to embrace one another to overcome these difficult times. We should shun rumour-mongering, as it can set our dear county ablaze. Just recently, a section of an unpatriotic set of 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 the same Abuja Central Mosque Authority later confirmed that it was false. This is very unfortunate and highly condemnable.
“The Minister of FCT, Barr Wike, is tirelessly doing his best to reposition the Federal Capital city with a benefitting 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.”
The group called on Nigerians to disregard any call against the FCT Minister “who is busy uniting both religions for a better Nigeria.”
According to the group, Nigerians must not allow a few people to distract the Government that the majority of Nigerians voted for.
“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 the more. Nigeria belongs to all of us, and her unity should not be traded for any personal reason whatsoever.”
