Christian and Muslim leaders in Nigeria have been advised to be careful of “desperate politicians” who will stop at nothing in their cravings for power.
FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, made the call when he had separate meetings with the executive council of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and the Committee of FCT Imams Initiative (CFII) in his office on Wednesday.
The delegations from CAN was led by National President, Most Rev. Daniel Okoh, while the Committee of Imams was led by its Chairman, Imam Tajudeen Adigun.
Wike informed the religious groups that politicians desperate for power could do anything to divide the country for their selfish interests.
His words: “Let me advise all of us. You say you are not politicians but be careful about politicians. Be careful with politicians who are so desperate to get power.”
“Be careful with politicians who can do anything just because of power. It is not everything you read on social media that is correct. Ask questions,” he said.
“I am seated here as the Minister of FCT, if there is anything you hear that the FCT is trying to do, do not hesitate to ask, this thing I am hearing, is it correct? So that we will be able to defend the government and defend ourselves,” Wike stressed.
“There are those who could not face us in the political scene, what they do is to run back to religious leaders and say, do you know this man? He hates you. If not, he wouldn’t have done this; he would not have done that, and you would fall into the trap,” he reiterated.
“You have to be careful as religious leaders, don’t allow politicians, those who are desperate and those who think if they are not in power, Nigeria must come down to sell or distort information,” the Minister added.
Wike emphasized the need for religious leaders to always ask questions before taking any action; urging the clerics to pray for the leadership of the country, because it was the only way Nigeria could be better.
According to him, once a leader emerges after an election, people should learn to leave personal interest, but pray for the leaders to succeed so that the country will also succeed.
He argued that hence nothing could take place without God’s approval, He has willed Tinubu to be Nigeria’s President, calling on Nigerians to pray for him to succeed, particularly as he is making decisions that would address the wrongs in the country.
“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, and bring out ideas on how the nation will grow. If he fails, Nigerians have failed,” he cautioned.
Wike, therefore, pledged that the FCT Administration would continue to support the National Christian Centre and the National Mosque, which he described as “national assets”.
He promised to visit the two national monuments next week to see the level of rehabilitation to determine the nature of assistance required.
“We will continue to support the National Mosque and the National Christian Centre,” Wike assured.
On his part, the CAN President explained that the visit was to declare full support to the Wike Administration and pray for him to succeed; reiterating CAN’s commitment to engaging stakeholders and promoting social cohesion in Nigeria.
Similarly, the CFII Chairman, Adegun, who described Wike as a true Nigerian, pledged the Initiative’s support and advice for the growth and unity in FCT.
