FCT minister, Nyesom Wike, has reacted to claims that his administration was carrying out anti-Islamic policies in Nigeria’s capital city.
Wike while receiving members of the Abuja National Mosque Management Committee, led by its chairman, the Etsu of Nupe, His Royal Highness, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar yesterday made it clear that his administration is not making “laws that are against Islamic alignment.” The minister debunked reports stating that those trying to whip religious sentiment were mischievously doing so to score some cheap political points.
Wike noted that he has no reason to instigate hate speech against any religious groups but to support any that has a genuine cause. He assured that FCT would not hesitate to support the maintenance of the National Mosque, or the National Ecumenical Centre, having been declared as a national monument.
The minister also called on religious leaders to preach National unity and peaceful coexistence.
“No government will hesitate to support the maintenance of a National Monument, be it for Christians or Muslims,” Wike said. In his remarks, the Etsu Nupe urged the minister to support the maintenance project of the National Mosque, which he disclosed had been stalled for some time now. The cleric pleaded with the minister to grant the committee more time to develop plots of land allocated to it by FCTA.
