Nyesom Wike, the minister of the Federal Capital Territory, has granted Engineer Shehu Ahmed Hadi, the executive secretary of the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA), a 24-hour window to elucidate the National Mosque’s status and the compensation scheme associated with it.
The National Mosque’s management has demanded compensation in the form of additional plots due to rumours that road expansion could harm portions of the mosque’s property.
The directive was issued by the minister in the presence of members of the Abuja National Mosque Management Committee, who were led by Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar, the Etsu Nupe, as its chairman. The minister refuted rumors that his administration was pushing measures that went against specific religious beliefs.
“I want to start from what I was told, which is that I gave the order to have the National Mosque demolished,” he declared. I want you to realize that there are a number of tactics used by politicians to combat their rivals.
“One person I hold in the highest regard is the Sultan of Sokoto; I regard him not only as an elder brother but also as a father.”
“I will always support the National Mosque, of which he is the president, in all that it concerns.
“You mentioned that Obasanjo established the appeal fund to assist with the National Mosque’s renovations. The administration of the national monument will get cooperation from all governments. It is our responsibility to see to it that places of worship are properly maintained.
Wike observed that individuals attempting to inflame religious sentiment were dishonestly doing so in order to get quick political points.
“We are not targeting any religious group or ethnicity; we are doing what we can for the good of all residents of the Federal Capital Territory and Nigerians at large,” he continued.
“Don’t let politicians use religion as a weapon against me because they are incapable of facing me in any way.”
Wike stated that he had no right to incite hate speech against any religious group because he was a Nigerian, but rather to support those that had a just cause.
Wike urged religious leaders to promote harmony and peaceful coexistence, while reiterating that the FCTA would not think twice about supporting the upkeep of the National Mosque and the National Ecumenical Center now that they have been designated national landmarks.
The Etsu Nupe had already requested the minister to back the mosque’s upkeep project, claiming it had been put on hold for long time.
Additionally, he begged the minister to give the committee more time to develop the land parcels that the FCTA had given it.
