Wike seeks religious leaders’ support on dev’t of Abuja

By Stanley Onyekwere

Minister, Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barrister Ezenwo Nyesom Wike has stressed the need for religious leaders to support the government in tackling the problems affecting the development of Abuja, in line with the dreams of its founding fathers.
Wike particularly noted that by the mandate of President President, the task is to see that Abuja is brought back to what it used to be or the dreams of our founding fathers, in terms of cleanliness, provision of basic infrastructure, development of other area councils other than the Federal Capital Centre (FCC) and many other things the administration plans to do.
Making this point yesterday, in Abuja at separate meetings with the Most Rev. Daniel Okoh-led Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and the Dr Tajudeen Adigun-led Committee of FCT Imams Initiative (CFII), the Minister also admonished religious leaders to not allow failed and desperate politicians bent on destabilising through propaganda and fanning the embers of disunity.
In his own words: “As a government, we cannot work alone as we must partner with various stakeholders be it religious leaders, ethic leaders or civil societies leaders, because we have all shades of opinion. What it is important is for us to move FCT forward.
“Here in FCT, we have different people; we have Nigerians and non Nigerians, it is our responsibility to provide a conductive environment for people to carry out various activities- be ot commercial or religious, so we didn’t come here with any colouration of victimising any group, it is not possible.
“Before this (meeting with CFII), today, I met with the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and there other day, I met with the management of the National Mosque, and so many prominent leaders of the Islamic faith, and there were things that I didn’t even know, I have not heard, untill they brought them to my attention.
“Today I approved the annual grants for the National Mosque and the Christian Centre, to pay them their grants. And the federal government had awarded contracts for the maintenance of the National mosque and Christian Centre, but they told me that the contract stopped, and I had to tell the FCDA bring back the file, the contract must continue.”
He continued: “We have to be careful as religious leaders. Don’t allow politicians, those who are desperate and those who think that if they are not in power, Nigeria must come down to distort information. If there is anything that you are not clear about, don’t hesitate to let me know, but if you follow propaganda by political losers, then we are not doing any good to ourselves.
“All of us are Nigerians, so it is not somethin anybody would say we are against north or south. That cannot happen, it is not in our character. So, we need your support to move forward.
“There are problems that concern the development of Abuja, so I thank you for this visit, and I can assure you that we will carry you along where we think it is necessary for you to play. If there are critical issues that I think have to affect you, and the society, that we need to call you for you to understand, and we will all carry it together. That is governance.
“So, let nobody tell you that the Minister and his team are against A in support of B, it is not possible.
Politics is over, a president has emerged, it is for you the leaders to now pray for God to guide the president, give him the wisdom to being ideas on how this nation will move forward. Because, if he fails, Nigerians have failed. It is not easy to lead a complex country like Nigeria.”
During the meetings, both religious groups had pledged support for the minister, describing his appointment as well deserved.
Earlier, Okoh said the CAN leadership was in his office to declare full support to the Wike-led administration and pray for him to succeed.He reiterated CAN’s commitment to continue to engage stakeholders and promote social cohesion.
He appealed to the minister to award the contract for the second phase of the rehabilitation of the centre, adding that phase one had been concluded in May 2023.
Similarly, the chairman of CFII, Adigun, who described Wike as a true Nigerian, pledged the initiative’s support and advice for the growth, development, and unity in FCT.
Adigun, who is the Chief Imam MCC Jumaah Masjid, described Wike’s appointment as a well deserved one.
“The committee is an organization for over 1000 Imams in the FCT to foster unity of the Ummah and promote discipline and foster unity among Islamic sects and other religions.
“Even as Governor, you have been working with people of all faiths, ethnicity and political affiliations. We are ready to work with you. We are not going to work with rumours, we are going to work with what we see and we are always on the side of good governance,” he stated.