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From Paul Orude Bauchi
Northern caucus of the Democratic Defence Initiative (DDI) has condemned what it termed unwarranted verbal attacks by some clerics at the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike.
Abdulrasheed Fate, representative of the northern caucus made the condemnation during a press conference at the NUJ secretariat, Bauchi, yesterday.
“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 President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration.
“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 Democratic Republic like Nigeria.”
The northern group said Wike as governor of Rivers State was 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.
“It is also on record that, Nigeria and Israel have a diplomatic relationship as well as economic partnership which will benefit Nigeria tremendously.
“Such dangerous sermons would only stir unnecessary hatred and may result into something more dangerous if not well managed. We, therefore, join millions of well-meaning Nigerians in condemning that comment. We are a secular nation and as such, every religion or nation is free to hold a stake, as far as our peace and security are not jeopardised.
“This recent utterance by some of our northern religious elite 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 totally uncalled for.
“Nigeria is a democratic republic with each Nigerian having equal right as the other, as such, the FCT minister 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 these unpatriotic utterances were capable of fanning flames of disunity among the peace loving Nigerians.
“Nigeria is going through a healing process under President Tinubu, a Muslim. It is important that Muslim clerics should support his administration to ensure justice and good governance is served on the Nigerian populace, which is one of the tenets of Islam.
“This is the time for each and every Nigerian to embrace one another, to overcome these difficult times. We should shun rumour mongering, as it is capable of setting our dear county ablaze. Just recently, a section of an unpatriotic set of people went on social media, alleging that the FCT Minister, 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. 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 at 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, which 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 Tinubu and pray to God to unite us the more. Nigeria belongs to all of us and its unity should not be traded for any personal reason, whatsoever.”
