From Tony John, Port Harcourt
A group, Concerned Elites of Rivers State (CERS) has dismissed the allegations of the Muslim cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, that the Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, Nyesom Wike, was supporting the Israeli government’s war in Palestine. The group condemned Gumi’s sermon as spread by his adherents. The group said the position of Minister of FCT is not meant for any particular section of the country.
Convener of CERS, Tony Okocha, in a statement, said the appointment of Wike as Minister of FCT by President Bola Tinubu was based on his (Tinubu) conviction that the minister would help drive the Renewed Hope Agenda for Nigeria .
According to Okocha, the track records of the immediate past governor of Rivers State from council chairman to his last political position, were unbeatable and undoubtedly endeared him to the president.
He declared: “Without mincing words, love Wike or hate him or choose to be neutral, one thing that resonates is that he imprinted in the sands of history and time, as a development champion with unprecedented laudable feats in his kitty as Governor of Rivers State. He said since coming to Abuja, Wike has been working hard, including reviving the dead streetlights on Abuja roads; mobilised security agencies to address insecurity, ensuring that tax defaulters and investors now pay money into government coffers, and over 135 roads receiving attention simultaneously.
“Traditional institutions and rulers of Abuja, now feel the impact of government, as they partake in consultations, decisions-making and largesse of government, he noted, adding that illegal park operators, those who indiscriminately dump refuse on unauthorized locations, and many others have been forced to stop the unlawful acts.
Okocha continued: “The FCT under Wike has received approval of Mr. President to operate an independent civil service commission. The FCT has received approval to access own funds and deploy for development of its precincts and no more on Treasury Single Account (TSA).”