The Governor of Rivers State, Nyesome Wike, on Sunday said he has nothing against Islam or any faith.
Wike made the remarks while showing the Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum and Governor of Ekiti State, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, the site of the mosque he was accused of having demolished in Port Harcourt.
A statement issued by NGF’s Head of Media and Public Affairs, Abdulrazaque Bello-Barkindo, in Abuja said Fayemi was in Port Hacourt to verify the true situation about the issue.
Wike claimed that there was no mosque at the site, but a sewage line.
He said: “I have nothing against Islam or any faith for that matter.
“As you can see there was never a mosque on this ground instead it is a sewage site which has been in contention between the state government and some groups because they want to develop on prohibited land.”
Wike appreciated the NGF Chairman, who was accompanied by the Director General of the Forum, Asishana Okauru, for taking time to visit and verify the truth about the situation.
He also commended Fayemi’s leadership style which he described as exemplary, noting that he did not join those who rushed to judgement on the matter.
According to the NGF statement, Wike said: “Those who yelled about the demolition were being plain mischievous.
“There was nothing there to show that a mosque ever existed on the site.”
It recalled that the Sultan of Sokoto and President of the Jaamatul Nasir Islam, the umbrella body of all Muslims in Nigeria, Sa’ad Abubakar, had earlier called for caution on the matter.
Abubakar called for restraint by Muslims in their reaction to the alleged demolition of the mosque in the Transamadi area of Port Harcourt.
Abubakar in a statement issued in Kaduna, said that caution and restraint was necessary to allow the leadership of the Muslim Ummah “find a lasting solution with wisdom” on the said demolition of the mosque.
The Sultan had enjoined Muslims to be guided by the Qur’anic teaching of introspection and perseverance, truthfulness and sincerity.
Trending
- Health professionals brainstorm in Abuja, seek drug free society
- CAF announce dates for Champions League, Confederation Cup Finals
- Tayo Ayinde withdraws suit against Gani Adams, restates commitment to peace
- Those in corridors of power behind my ordeal – Segun Olatunji
- Remi Tinubu donates N1bn to aid fight against tuberculosis
- Police arrest two for alleged murder of former MD of Jigawa Housing Authority
- Man in police net for allegedly beating wife to death in Lagos
- Omah Lay, four other Nigerians to headline at Forbes Under 30 Africa summit