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Abuja National Mosque Board Defends Wike, Dismisses Rumored Demolition Plan

Published

1 year ago

Oct 20, 2023.

EKO HOT BLOG reports that the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, has been vindicated over the news making the rounds that his ministry plans to demolish a part of the Abuja National Mosque.

In a recent statement made available to newsmen, the Abuja National Mosque Management Board discredited the false reports circulating on social media, urging the Muslim community to ignore the viral reports.

The Board said the speculations are the result of conflict merchants attempting to stir up religious tensions and tarnish the minister’s reputation. Naija News understands that the board’s visit to the minister on Wednesday was successful, as the former Governor of Rivers State welcomed them warmly and granted approval for their requests.

Led by its Chairman, the Etsu Nupe, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar, the Board had visited the minister on Wednesday to seek clarification on the status of its plots, 63 and 99, in the wake of the administration’s drive to recover all ground rents debts.

At the meeting, Wike extended the three-month ultimatum to religious groups since they largely depend on freewill donations from members.

The Minister said: “We know the finances of religious groups, they are handicapped as they are not business people, and it is only when people come to support them.

Abuja National Mosque the

In such areas, we can say on religious grounds, instead of three months, we can give additional time, but it is not targeted at anybody or group. Now you have come and explained, which reasonable man would not accept it. So our people should stop saying he is targeting so group or religion or ethnic group, no, it is for the interest of all of us.

“We will extend it, so we will not restrict it to three months for you, as a religious group, because there is no money as people come to support you. And it is only when they support that you can carry out whatever you are doing.”

Wike reiterated that the incumbent administration led by President Bola Tinubu respects all faiths and would not discriminate against anyone.

Addressing the rumours being spread on social media, the Director of Finance and Administration of the National Mosque, Ambassador Haliu Shuaib and Imam of the mosque, Dr Muhammad Kabir Adam, who spoke at a press conference hosted by the Executive Secretary, of Federal Capital Development Authority FCDA, Engr. Shehu Hadi Ahmad, said, “The Mosque is, hereby, debunking the news of the partial demolition of the National Mosque and wishes to set the records straight.”

Shuaib said, “It has come to the attention of the Abuja National Mosque Management, of a news item making the around in social and print media regarding the purported partial demolition of the National Mosque, which is creating tension and anxiety amongst the Muslim Ummah in the country and beyond.

His Royal Highness, Etsu Nupe, Chairman, Abuja National Mosque Management Board and his delegation paid a courtesy visit to the Hon. Minister of the FCT. The delegation was warmly received, and the discussions were constructive as well as and cordial issues of mutual interest were discussed as follows:

“Development of plot 99: The Minister was briefed that the development of the plot was receiving serious attention to the extent that the design of the project to be executed had been approved by the Development Control Department of FCDA.

“Development of Plot 63-opposite Yar’adua Centre: The Chairman also briefed the Hon. Minister that the Management of the Mosque was informed that a substantial part of Plot 63 had been consumed by the proposed Inner Northern Express Way.

The Chairman, therefore, requested to know the current status of the plot and also that the remaining part of the plot be reallocated to the Mosque and that appropriate replacement of the lost portion be given to the Mosque, and the Hon. Minister’s response was positive.

Renovation of the Mosque: The Chairman used the opportunity to appeal to the Hon. Minister to use his good offices to complete the rehabilitation/renovation of the National Mosque which the Hon. Minister promised to look at the issue.

“The National Mosque wishes to inform the general public that during the meeting between the Board Chairman and the Honourable Minister, there was never a time the Honourable Minister mentioned the demolition of any part of the National Mosque. He, however, gave the example of the demolishing of a Mosque in Port Court, which did not exist when he was a Governor. Like what happened now, he revealed that social media can cause confusion in society if care is not taken.

“The general public should, therefore, ignore the social and print media campaign and completely disregard the fake news in circulation.”

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